Great question! The answer is yes: after a male becomes aroused, a liquid called pre-ejaculate can seep out the tip of the penis. Although pre-ejaculate itself doesn’t contain sperm, it travels through the urethra in the process of leaving the body, and can pick up sperm left over from previous ejaculations.  That means pregnancy is possible even before ejaculation has occurred. Teen Clinic recommends wearing condoms 100%, for the duration of sexual activity, to best reduce the risk. Remember, your partner may not have complete control over when ejaculation occurs; it’s better to be safe if you’re not ready for pregnancy.

To learn more about pregnancy, using condoms, or other birth control methods, make an appointment at Teen Clinic. And thanks for asking!

…although we were not actually engaging in intercourse. What is this and is there a risk for pregnancy?

Great question!  The substance you’re referring to is called pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-cum). Pre-ejaculate is a clear, sticky fluid often released by the penis between arousal and ejaculation.  Some penises release little to no pre-ejaculate; others may release quite a bit.  Doctors believe the purpose of pre-ejaculate is to make the urethra and the vagina less acidic, allowing sperm to survive longer.

Although pre-ejaculate does not contain sperm when it is produced, it can pick up leftover sperm in the urethra. This means that pre-ejaculate can contain sperm when it leaves the body, creating a risk for pregnancy.  Pre-ejaculate can also transmit STIs. If you do decide to have intercourse, be sure to use condoms consistently, correctly, and every time. If you decide to abstain from intercourse, pregnancy is not a risk unless semen or pre-ejaculate actually touches the vagina.

... He didn’t ejaculate in me, but our genitals were touching; it wasn’t skin to skin, so I was wondering if I could get pregnant.

Pregnancy is possible whenever semen touches the vagina. Clothing is not always an adequate barrier for fluids, so there is a risk for pregnancy if ejaculation occurred on the underwear.  Come to Teen Clinic for free emergency contraception if you are concerned, and consider starting a birth control method even if you’re not engaging in vaginal intercourse at this time.

Also, remember that some STIs, like Herpes and HPV, can spread through skin to skin contact.  Make sure you’ve discussed your partner’s past sexual history and have condoms on hand whenever the genitals come into contact.  It’s always better to plan ahead!

Pre-cum—officially called pre-ejaculate—is a clear, sticky fluid released by the penis between the beginning of arousal and ejaculation.  Doctors believe that pre-ejaculate helps make the urethra and the vagina less acidic, allowing sperm to survive longer.  Some males do not release any pre-ejaculate; others may release quite a bit.

Although pre-ejaculate does not contain sperm when it is produced, it can pick up leftover sperm in the urethra. This means that pre-ejaculate can contain sperm when it leaves the body, creating a risk for pregnancy.  Pre-ejaculate can also transmit STIs. Use condoms consistently, correctly, and every time to prevent unplanned pregnancies and infection!

Your chances of causing retrograde ejaculation in this way are slim.  Retrograde ejaculation—a condition in which semen enters the bladder instead of exiting the body through the urethra during ejaculation—is normally not self-caused.  People who experience this problem have usually had bladder neck or prostate surgery, or suffer from nerve damage caused by medical conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis.  Retrograde ejaculation can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat prostate enlargement, high blood pressure, or mood disorders.

If you are concerned you may have retrograde ejaculation now, it is important to see a doctor.  Symptoms include dry orgasms—orgasms in which you ejaculate little to no fluid out of your penis—and urine that is cloudy because it contains semen.  However, it’s healthy to remember that everyone’s body is different.  Some males ejaculate a lot of semen, and some ejaculate a little. Learn what’s normal for your body—and don’t be afraid to come talk to a Teen Clinic practitioner if you’re feeling anxious.  Discussing your body and sexuality is a healthy way to feel confident and comfortable with yourself!

The sticky fluid you notice is semen, the fluid that contains sperm. Semen color, consistency and amount vary person to person. Many people only produce a little bit of semen at a time while others produce more. There is no “normal” type of semen for everyone since it is so unique!  Semen is typically a whiteish, cloudy, sticky fluid but it can vary depending on your age, diet and sexual activity. It’s healthy to notice what is normal for your body and not compare it to other people. Another reason to pay attention to your semen is because significant changes in semen color can indicate infection. While it sounds like you have nothing to worry about, it would help to bring up your concerns to health care provider or another adult you trust. Many people have anxiety about their genitalia and often wonder “am I normal?” Talking about your body & sexuality is a healthy way to feel confident & comfortable with yourself!

Pregnancy is a risk if sperm gets in the vagina. Sperm are generally pretty fragile and die when exposed to the air. If someone had semen on his/her hand, it’s likely that the sperm will die quickly, posing no risk for pregnancy. However, there is a slight chance some sperm could swim into the vagina. To avoid this risk, wash the semen off before engaging in further sexual activity.

Another risk to think about is the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are transmitted through skin to skin contact, semen, vaginal fluids and blood. If infected semen were to get inside the vagina, there is a risk of transmission. Getting tested for STIs is a great to know if you or a partner is infected. For free STI testing, contact Teen Clinic.

…I have masturbated, but nothing has come of it. Is there something wrong with me? Is there anything I can do make sure I am healthy?

You may have what is called retrograde ejaculation. This means that instead of the sperm coming out of the urethra it may be going back into the Vas Deferens (the tube that carries the sperm). If you have this, it is not harmful to you because the sperm is re-absorbed in your body. The only time you might run into difficulty would be when you would want to have children. You should make an appointment with your regular health care provider. A specialist that sees men to evaluate your reproductive system would be called an Urologist. Your general practitioner’s office might be able to help you with a referral.

Semen color and consistency can vary depending on your age, diet and sexual activity. Semen is typically a whiteish, cloudy fluid. Changes in semen color can indicate infection. If you are concerned about changes in semen, definitely see a health care provider. Click here to make an appointment at Teen Clinic.