Can you get pregnant without having sex?

How does pregnancy happen?

Before we go into the likelihood of getting pregnant without having sex, let’s back up a second and take a refresher into the ins and outs of how pregnancy happens in the first place. Are you ready to go back to biology class?

Typically, during the menstrual cycle, our ovaries release a female egg cell in a process called ovulation. This egg cell travels down the fallopian tubes and can survive for between 12-24 hours before it starts to deteriorate in the uterus [1]. If the egg cell isn’t fertilized by a sperm cell, then this is exactly what happens. The uterine lining then sheds (in the form of your period) and the cycle begins again. However, if sperm cells are present and they fertilize the egg cell, this can lead to pregnancy. 

It’s useful to know that we’re only fertile during six days per cycle, known as the fertile window, which consists of the five days before ovulation and ovulation day. Sperm cells can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days under the right conditions. [1] For pregnancy to happen, sperm needs to enter the female reproductive tract in the days before ovulation happens or during the 24-hour window while the egg cell can be fertilized.

How is it possible to get pregnant without having sex?

You might be wondering how sperm can end up in the vagina if a penis hasn’t been there. Well… There are a few ways you can get pregnant without having penetrative sex, as all that’s needed for conception to occur is for live sperm to get to the fallopian tubes through the vagina around the time of ovulation. This can happen if your partner ejaculates very close to your vagina or on fingers, sex toys, or any objects that then go inside the vagina [2]. This is sometimes called a “splash pregnancy”.

Did you know it’s also possible to get pregnant from pre-cum or pre-ejaculate if that gets in the vagina? While there are typically reduced levels of sperm in pre-ejaculate, if your vagina comes into contact with any semen this puts you at risk of pregnancy as it only takes one single sperm to reach the egg cell to get pregnant [3]. 

The best way to protect yourself from a splash pregnancy is to regularly wash your hands, toys, or anything else that goes inside the vagina. You can also use condoms, while engaging in non-penetrative sex or with sex toys — this can add an extra barrier and also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

How long can sperm live outside the body?

Now you know it’s possible for sperm to get into the vagina in other ways than intercourse, you may be wondering how long sperm can survive on fingers or sex toys. The good news is that once sperm is outside the warm and protective conditions of the human body, it can’t survive for very long on its own. 

What about that rumor about someone getting pregnant after sharing a hot tub? While it’s possible to get pregnant if you have sex in water, it’s extremely unlikely just from sharing the same water as someone else. Not only will sperm disperse in water and become separated from the fluids that protect them, but any soap or chemicals in the water will kill off sperm pretty quickly.

How deep does sperm need to go for you to get pregnant?

So if you’re worried about sperm getting into the vagina unexpectedly, you might also be curious to know how deep does it actually need to go into the vagina for you to get pregnant? The answer is not very straightforward. While you might have heard about some sex positions that are more likely to help you conceive, the science in this area is extremely murky. There is no evidence to suggest that any particular sex position can improve your chances of getting pregnant [4]. 

Remember that only one healthy sperm needs to get to the vagina for conception to occur. Sperm are equipped with a tail and are built for swimming, so provided they are deposited in the vagina they are able to make their own way towards the egg cell in the fallopian tubes — an epic journey of about 7 inches or 19cm [5]. 

What other ways can you get pregnant without having sex?

Aside from a splash pregnancy, it’s also possible to get pregnant without having sexual intercourse if you use artificial insemination to conceive or assisted reproductive technology (ART). [6] This involves techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) where fertilization happens outside the body and the fertilized embryo is transferred to the uterus. Assisted reproductive technology can be a useful tool for those who’ve had difficulty getting pregnant or who can’t conceive through sexual intercourse. Getting pregnant through IVF or another fertility treatment is now fairly common with 42% of adults in the US stating that they have either used fertility treatments themselves or know someone who has [7]. 

Can I get pregnant if…

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably got some unanswered questions about when and how it’s possible to get pregnant. Well, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around when it comes to the topic of unintended pregnancy! At Natural Cycles, we’re all about busting these unhelpful myths, so let’s take a look at some scenarios and answer whether or not it’s possible to get pregnant from them. 

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

This is a complicated one. The short answer is yes, although it’s highly unlikely. Most people aren’t fertile during their period, but if you have a very short cycle, long menstruation and/or ovulate early, it’s technically possible to get pregnant as sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days [7]. If you have sex on your period and then ovulate soon afterward, it’s possible to get pregnant if any sperm have survived to fertilize the egg.

However, most people won’t be fertile until after their period ends — to learn more about your body and track your ovulation, why not try the Natural Cycles app?

Can I get pregnant if my partner ejaculated right outside of my vagina?

Yes. There are potentially hundreds of millions of sperm in each ejaculation and these are too small to see with the naked eye [8]. Even if only a small amount of semen manages to get inside the vagina, there is still a risk of pregnancy. If you’re trying to prevent pregnancy, it’s best to avoid getting ejaculate or pre-cum anywhere near the vagina during the fertile window (this includes the day of ovulation and five days prior when sperm can survive in the female body). 

Can I get pregnant from oral sex?

You can’t technically get pregnant from oral sex, although we’ve all heard THAT rumor… Keep in mind though, that if any ejaculate or pre-cum gets near the vagina during activities like foreplay, then pregnancy is possible. Using a condom during oral sex can add another layer of protection against both pregnancy and STIs. 

Can I get pregnant from fingering or giving a hand job?

Again, for pregnancy to happen, sperm has to get inside the vagina. You can’t technically get pregnant from touching someone’s genitals or touching your own, but if semen gets on your fingers and then those go inside the vagina, then pregnancy is possible. Washing your hands if they get pre-cum or ejaculate on them can help protect you from pregnancy in these situations.

Can I get pregnant from anal sex?  

While there isn’t a risk of pregnancy directly from anal sex, if any semen is deposited in the general genital area it’s possible for it to leak into the vagina and cause pregnancy. Using a condom offers extra protection if you’re worried about ejaculate or pre-cum getting into the vagina after anal sex. Always wash fingers, penises, and sex toys before putting them in the vagina if you’re engaging in anal sex. It’s also advised to change condoms between anal and vaginal sex. This not only reduces your risk of infection but can wash off any lingering semen. 

Can I get pregnant if my partner pulls out?

Yes. The pull out method or withdrawal method is not a reliable form of contraception for a couple of reasons. Sperm is still present in pre-cum and it only takes one sperm cell to fertilize an egg cell [3]. It can also be difficult to get the timing right, and it’s possible your partner won’t pull out in time. With typical use, the withdrawal method is only 80% effective, so we wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who’s actively trying to avoid pregnancy [9]. There are plenty of options out there when it comes to switching birth control, including long-acting methods like IUDs and other non-hormonal birth control options. 

Know when you’re fertile and prevent pregnancy naturally 

So, returning to the question “Can you get pregnant without having penetrative sex?”, the answer is yes! Whether that’s from semen getting in the vagina accidentally, or from fertility treatments like IVF, there are a number of ways it’s possible to get pregnant without a penis physically going into a vagina.

If you’re looking for a natural way to prevent pregnancy that’s also free from side effects, why not consider Natural Cycles, the first and only FDA Cleared birth control app? It’s hormone-free, non-invasive, and available to download now. The app uses the science of how your body temperature changes during your menstrual cycle to identify your fertile days so you know when you can and can’t get pregnant. With this information, you can then either abstain from sex on fertile days or use protection. Natural Cycles is 93% effective with typical use and 98% with perfect use.