TeenHealthFX - Answers - Male Worried About Sperm And Getting Girl Pregnant

Pregnancy / Question
Published: April 24, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I am a 17 year old male who's worried about sperm and getting girls pregnant. I am not sure how long sperm live. I do masturbate and though I am careful not to get any of it on anything or any girl, worried after I wipe everything up (and myself) I may still get it on toilet seats and anything I might brush up against (even when I have underwear on) I end up taking really long showers to wash myself to make sure any sperm still on me is gone (how long do you need to wash to make sure it is gone). Would a girl possibly get pregnant if she sat on a toilet seat after I was on it, or brushed up against a doorway I might have bumped into? What about pre-cum on underwear? This is really bothering my girlfriend, and me. I am to embarrassed to ask a doctor. Please help. Thanks

Signed: Male Worried About Sperm And Getting Girl Pregnant

Dear Male Worried About Sperm And Getting Girl Pregnant,

TeenHealthFX is glad that you are conscientious about not wanting to get your girlfriend pregnant but you can relax a bit.

Sperm is alive as long as it is moist. Once it dries up, it is no longer a threat. Anytime live sperm comes in contact with the vagina there is a chance pregnancy could occur. This is a key concept to remember. Although it is extremely unlikely that a women could get pregnant from a toilet seat (and even less likely from a doorway) the possibility exists under certain conditions. There would have to be live sperm on the toilet seat, it would have to enter the woman's vagina and that woman would have to be extremely fertile. If you were wearing under wear then it would seem unlikely that any sperm could be deposited outside the body.

The same is true of pre-cum it has to be active to do its duty. So if there was pre-cum on a man's underwear and it was still moist and came in contact with a women's vagina then there is a very small risk that pregnancy could occur.

Excessive showering or hand washing is not necessary to get rid of sperm. A good hand wash or shower with soap should do the job.

If you and your girlfriend are really concerned about pregnancy you might want to consider using a spermicidal foam or cream along with a condom. Or, if appropriate, your girlfriend may want to check out hormonal contraceptives (the pill or Depo-Provera). These methods can be very effective in guarding against pregnancy.

If you find that you are taking extremely long showers (half hour or more), more then 5 showers a day or washing your hands in excess of twenty times a day you could be developing a obsessive/compulsive disorder, specifically a contamination phobia. If this were the case then you would need to see a therapist to help you over come it. The washing ritual becomes a way of fending off anxiety, which in your case is fear of pregnancy. If left untreated the rituals could begin to consume more and more of your life to the point that it interferes with your daily functioning.

Finally, you should not be embarrassed to ask your doctor any of these questions. Doctors are interested in having young people practice safer sex and would gladly answer any of your questions. In fact it might be a good idea to make an appointment with a local teen clinic or Planned Parenthood and get a formal education on how to best protect you and your girlfriend. These agencies can see you without your parents knowing and for little or no cost.

If you live in northern New Jersey you make an appointment at the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health by calling 973.971.6475 for an appointment.

Signed: TeenHealthFX