I would like to know if pre-cum contains sperm that can lead to pregnancy, and what are the chances she could become pregnant? I have heard pre-cum contains no sperm.  If it does, how could me and her go about preventing a pregnancy?

The chances of your girlfriend becoming pregnant is low, but there is a risk. Studies have shown that pre-ejaculate (pre-cum) often contains sperm, though at much lower levels than ejaculatory fluid.  If you are still within five days of the intercourse, have your girlfriend come to Teen Clinic for emergency contraception. This hormonal pill may help reduce the risk of pregnancy by preventing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus.

Some research, including the reproductive health manual Contraceptive Technology, suggests that pre-ejaculatory fluid itself does not contain sperm; rather, it picks up leftover sperm from a previous ejaculation, which is hidden within the folds of the urethral lining. The studies suggest that this leftover sperm can be cleared from the urethra by urinating after sex.

However, there’s still much research to be done! And there’s also no way of knowing whether sperm is still present in the urethra.  At Teen Clinic, we recommend you reduce the risk of pregnancy by using a condom during intercourse every time, beginning to end. And remember that we have condoms and other birth control methods available to both of you at no cost, available on a walk-in basis.

The “Morning After Pill” medically know as emergency contraception (EC) is a hormonal emergency birth control pill used to effectively prevent pregnancy. EC can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected vaginal sex. Two pills are swallowed at the same time within those 120 hours. If EC is taken within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex, it is 89% effective. If taken on the fifth day after unprotected sex, it is 75% effective. The sooner EC is taken, the more effective it is in preventing pregnancy.

Remember, EC does not prevent against any STIs. It will only work to prevent a pregnancy;  it will not harm or end a pregnancy;. People aged 17 years and older can get EC over-the-counter at most pharmacies. For people under 17, it requires a prescription from a medical provider. People can walk in to Teen Clinic or our adult clinic whenever we are open to pick up EC.  Men and women can get EC, but only women take the pills.

Since you got your period before you took Plan B, there is no reason to take it. If you had unprotected sex, you may be at risk for STI transmission. You can get free and confidential STI testing at Teen Clinic. During that visit, you can also speak with a health care professional about birth control options that will work well for your body, habits and behaviors. Using hormonal birth control methods and condoms is effective at preventing pregnancy and STI transmission.

Pregnancy is a risk if sperm gets in or around the vaginal opening. If you think there is a chance that sperm was released near there, you could consider taking emergency contraception also known as “plan B” or “the morning after pill.”

Emergency contraception (EC) is a hormonal emergency birth control method used to effectively prevent pregnancy. The hormones prevent ovulation – the process when the ovaries release an egg – and thicken cervical mucus. It will not harm or end a pregnancy; it will only work to prevent a pregnancy. EC can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected vaginal sex. Two pills are swallowed at the same time within those 120 hours. If EC is taken within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex, it is 89% effective. If taken on the fifth day after unprotected sex, it is 75% effective. The sooner EC is taken, the more effective it is in preventing pregnancy. EC does not prevent against any STIs. People aged 17 years and older can get EC over-the-counter at most pharmacies. For people under 17, it requires a prescription from a medical provider. People can walk in to Teen Clinic or our adult clinic whenever we are open to pick up EC.  Men and women can get EC, but only women take the pills.

You’re being very responsible by using a condom! In the future, you can do a few things to reduce the chance of tearing a condom. Make sure the condom is used properly. Check the condom a few times during sexual activity to be sure it hasn’t ripped. Using extra water-based lubricant helps reduce the friction that causes breakage. Brands like ID GLIDE, and KY JELLY are available at Teen Clinic and any pharmacy.

Taking an emergency contraceptive, like Plan B, can change your regular bleeding pattern. The Plan B pill is a dose of progesterone, a natural hormone that builds up the lining of the uterus. The medication is actually tricking your body into thinking it should have a period. You should have some sort of bleeding within three weeks of taking the Plan B pill. If you do not have any bleeding or spotting (minimal bleeding) within three weeks visit Teen Clinic for a free pregnancy test. You can find more information about Plan B and other birth control methods on our website, or make an appointment at Teen Clinic for a personalized consult.

…I ended my period last week. I wasn’t sure if I should take the morning after pill. Also I don’t ever go a day without taking my pill but I do take it at different times sometimes. Should I take the ECP?

If you are in the first week of your pill packet you should be protected. You should not need emergency contraception because you have not technically missed a pill. Try to take your pills within two hours of each other. Pills work the best if they are taken on a regular cycle. You may be at risk for an STI if your partner is infected. Be sure you both get tested to rule out STI transmission. For a free STI screen, contact Teen Clinic at 303.442.5160

…I wanted to be extra safe so I took Plan B. What are my chances of getting pregnant?

If you are taking a hormonal birth control method correctly, consistently and all of the time then you are protected from pregnancy 92-99.7% of the time. Emergency contraception (Plan B) can be up to 89% effective in preventing a pregnancy. While there is a chance of pregnancy in your situation, it’s very low. If you don’t get your period on time, it might be a good idea to take a pregnancy test. Since the condom broke you could be at risk for STI transmission so it’s important that you and your partner get tested. For free STI testing, call Teen Clinic at 303.442.5160.

…and took the morning after pill, is that safe?

Taking emergency contraception after an abortion is safe and it reduces your chance of becoming pregnant. Many people believe that you can’t get pregnant after an abortion, but that’s a myth, it’s not true. Anytime semen gets near, or inside of, a vagina there is risk for pregnancy. If you still don’t have a period in another three weeks, take a home pregnancy test or visit Teen Clinic for a free pregnancy test. If you want to avoid pregnancy, you might want to think about a more reliable birth control method. Even if you aren’t sexually active right now but might be in the future, birth control is safe and an effective way to prevent pregnancy. Check out our Prevention & Birth Control Methods section for more information about your options.

The “morning after pill” or emergency contraception (EC) is a hormonal pill intended to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. In general, it is not harmful to take EC while using a hormonal birth control method, it just might not be needed. If a woman is using a hormonal birth control method correctly, consistently and all of the time there is no reason to take EC. If she is not using her method as intended (for example she misses a few pills or forget to insert her Nuva ring) and has unprotected sex, EC might be a good choice to ensure pregnancy prevention. Because it depends on what method someone is using and when they had unprotected sex, it’s important to speak with a health care provider to find out whether EC is right for your situation. Contact your own doctor or Teen Clinic if you have a specific scenario. Remember – neither hormonal birth control methods nor EC protect against STIs. Be sure to use condoms and get tested if you are risk for STI transmission.

The morning after pill or “Emergency Contraception” is available at most pharmacies. If you are 17 and over you can purchase it over the counter, which means you don’t need a prescription. Prices range from $30-$50 in Boulder County. If you are under 17, you need a prescription from a health care provider or from Teen Clinic. Any teen can walk-in to Teen Clinic when we’re open to get Emergency Contraception for free.