Pregnancy: General Pregnancy And Pregnancy Prevention Questions/Concerns / Question
Published: December 21, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I watched a pornographic video with my boyfriend and I saw a man ejaculate inside a womans vagina, but the fluid ran out and whatever did not run out on its own she squeezed out or wiped out with her hand. I wanted to know if this could actually prevent a woman from getting pregnant or is it just another irresponsible thing that porn stars do. I remember hearing in health class that if any fluid from the penis enters the vagina and reaches the egg the woman can become pregnant. I am sort of confused now, and I would like some clarity before my boyfriend's curiosity gets the best of him, and he tries to do something like this with me. Thanks
Signed: Preventing Pregnancy?
Dear Preventing Pregnancy?,
What you saw in this porn film is absolutely NOT a method of practicing safer sex. For one thing, without the use of a condom, there is no protection against the transmission of STDs. A condom does not provide 100% protection against the transmission of STDs, but it certainly provides significantly more protection than not using one at all.
As for pregnancy prevention, what this woman did will NOT prevent pregnancy. Both pre-ejaculatory fluids (also known as “pre-cum”) and ejaculatory fluids contain sperm – so if either of these fluids comes in contact with the vagina, then pregnancy can occur. Ways to eliminate or lower your chances of getting pregnant include things such as:
· Abstinence is the only way to prevent the possibility of an unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs 100%.
· The birth control pill can lower the possibility of unwanted pregnancies. The pill can be 99% effective when used consistently and correctly, and 92% effective with typical use. The pill does not offer any protection against the transmission of STDs.
· Male condoms are 98% effective if used consistently and correctly, 85% effective with typical use.
To prevent the transmission of STDs and unwanted pregnancies, teens are generally recommended to use condoms each and every time they have sex, as well as a back-up method of birth control such as the pill. If you and your boyfriend are sexually active, or plan to become sexually active, please speak to a medical health professional about the best safer sex practices for you. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.
You can also read our answer to Updated Birth Control Information for information on the various types of birth control available and the effectiveness ratings of each one.
FX would like you to keep the following in mind:
· Pornographic films are in no way meant to be educational in terms of teaching people how to practice safer sex. What the films do not tell you is that the two people having sex may have been tested for STDs prior to the film, and the female may have had her tubes tied or the male may have had a vasectomy to prevent pregnancy from occurring. It is also possible that the people making the film or participating in the film are not being responsible as far as taking the proper precautions to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies – so FX would NOT recommend that you look to porn for guidance about safer sex methods. The best place to get the guidance you need is from a trained medical health professional.
· There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to being sexually active. Practicing safer sex is one, but it is also important to look at emotional readiness. Before starting a sexual relationship with your boyfriend, make sure that you are truly ready in various aspects. To learn more about figuring out when you are ready, please read our answer to Want To Have Sex, But Not Sure If I Am Ready.
· Since you know your boyfriend’s curiosity can get the best of him at times, make sure you get the education you need (and try and educate him as well) before going along with something he suggests that could potentially mean trouble for you.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use, and male high school students are more likely than female students to rarely or never wear seat belts.
