Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding? Having sex only once? Without an orgasm? Read on and find out the answers to those looming questions: Can I Get Pregnant if...?

Can I get pregnant if I am breastfeeding?

Yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. While breastfeeding tends to postpone ovulation, this is not a guarantee, and it only does it for a couple of months at most. Ovulation can occur even when you are breastfeeding and before you have a period. If you want to avoid pregnancy, use birth control.

Can I get pregnant if I haven’t had a period?

Yes, you can get pregnant even without having a period. Ovulation can occur even if you do not have a period.

Can I get pregnant If I douche after sex?

Yes, you can get pregnant even if you douche. Douching is a very ineffective method of birth control. Sperm moves up into the cervix and the uterus within seconds, and it is impossible to douche fast enough to keep sperm away from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. Even if you douche immediately after sex, it’s too late already.

Can I get pregnant If I urinate or take a bath after sex?

Yes, you can get pregnant if you urinate or take a bath after sex. Neither will wash sperm out. Also, deodorant vaginal suppositories or sprays do not work either and can be harmful.

Can I get pregnant if I have sex when I have my period?

Yes, you can get pregnant when you have sex during your period. As long as you have sex within 5-6 days before you ovulate, it is possible to get pregnant during your menstrual period. Sperm can live inside a woman's body for up to 5 days, so if you ovulate anytime within 5-6 days of having unprotected sex, you could become pregnant. 

Can I get pregnant if I have no orgasm?

Yes, you can get pregnant without an orgasm. While the man must ejaculate to release sperm, it is not necessary for the woman to have an orgasm to get pregnant. A woman of childbearing age releases an egg each month as part of her regular menstrual cycle. This occurs whether or not the woman has sex or an orgasm.

Can I get pregnant if we only have sex during the "safe" time?

You can get pregnant potentially anytime during your cycle because ovulation can happen anytime. While your cycle may be more or less regular at most times, the balance of hormones responsible for ovulation can be disrupted by various factors, including age, stress, and medicines. So, pinpointing the time of ovulation and predicting any "safe" days can be difficult.

Can I get pregnant if we have sex standing up or if the woman is on top?

Yes, you can get pregnant even standing up or if the woman on top. Some people believe that having sex in certain positions, such as standing up, will force the sperm out of the woman’s vagina. In truth, positions during sex have nothing to do with whether or not fertilization occurs. When a man ejaculates, the sperm is deposited well into the vagina. The sperm will naturally begin to move up through the cervical canal immediately after ejaculation, no matter in what position they got there.

Can I get pregnant if the condom fits him very tightly?

This is a misconception based on the belief that the tighter the condom, the less likely sperm will seep out or that the condom will slip off during sex. However, a condom that is too tight is more likely to break during intercourse. When using a condom, it is also important to leave some space near the tip to safely catch the ejaculate; this prevents the condom from being over-stretched once the man ejaculates.

Can I get pregnant if he pulls out before he ejaculates from precum?

Yes, you can get pregnant even if he withdraws because pulling out before the man ejaculates is not a foolproof method. Some ejaculate (fluid that contains sperm also known as precum) might be released before the man actually begins to climax. In addition, some men might not have the willpower or be able to withdraw in time.

Can I get pregnant if I have sex right after starting the pill?

There is actually some truth to this. As soon as you start taking the pill, it starts to work. But just to make sure, use additional contraception for the first month.

Can I get pregnant if I have sex the very first time?

Yes, you can get pregnant the very first (or second or third) time you have sex. A woman's chances of getting pregnant are always the same, about 1 out of 5, even if it is her first time.

Can I get pregnant if I am using saran wrap (or a balloon) instead of a condom?

Yes, you can get pregnant using saran wrap. If you do not have a reliable birth control method handy, do not use plastic sandwich wrap around a penis as a way to prevent pregnancy. It is no substitute for a condom and does not work (neither does using a balloon, so don't try that either!).

Can I get pregnant if I use toothpaste as a spermicide?

Yes, you can get pregnant. Never use toothpaste in place of a spermicide. It does not kill sperm, nor does anything else besides, well, spermicide.

Can I get pregnant if I jump up and down after sex?

Yes! Sneezing, coughing, and jumping up and down after sex will not dislodge sperm. Sperm is too quick and too tiny for any of these methods to work.

Learn more about other birth control methods in our Birth Control Guide!