Afraid Of Getting Your Girlfriend Pregnant? Here's What Teens Need To Know

Are you enjoying your girlfriend or friend with benefits but definitely don't want to become a father just yet? Many guys are terrified of getting their girlfriends pregnant, but fear without action isn't terribly useful. Here's how to be proactive about contraceptives, as well as some tough questions you'll have to ponder if you don't want to give up your favorite extracurricular activity. 

'She Can't Get Pregnant If...' — Except If She Does

You've definitely heard them — urban myths about situations in which girls can't get pregnant. If you're a young guy, you may even believe some of these fairy tales. Think your girlfriend can't get pregnant the first time she has sex, during her period, or just before her period? Think your girlfriend can't get pregnant if she douches, pees, or has a shower right after sexual intercourse? Think she won't conceive if you practice coitus interruptus (the "pull-out method"), if she doesn't orgasm, or perhaps if you don't really have sexual intercourse? Think again.

The average girl will get her first menstrual period at age 12, though every girl is on her own schedule and it can happen earlier or later just as easily. Once a girl starts menstruating, it's safe to assume that she also ovulates. Ovulation, the release of an mature egg that can be fertilized, happens once per menstrual cycle for most women. Teens, who have recently started menstruating, may not ovulate every month — but if you're a sexually active teen, you should absolutely not count on a lack of ovulation.[1]

Ovulation tends to take place roughly 14 days before a girl's next period is due, but teens can definitely have unpredictable ovulation patterns along with irregular menstrual cycles. The five or six days before ovulation can also be considered fertile days, because semen can survive in the female reproductive system for quite a while. If an egg is fertilized, it will travel down to the uterus and implant in its lining. The girl will miss her period and start experiencing pregnancy symptoms.[1]

Now, let's look at some of those urban myths individually. Not having had sex before has absolutely nothing to do with fertility. As a rule, the time just before a period and the days during which a girl experience active menstrual flow aren't going to lead to pregnancy. Are you really sure your girlfriend's cycle is predictable enough to count on this, though? Are you really sure she knows what's going on with her cycle? Most teens don't. 

Vaginal douching may interfere with the vagina's natural flora, but that doesn't mean it will prevent pregnancy.[2] In the US, almost 20% of women 15 to 44 years old douche. This is worrying because can lead to many health problems, including vaginal infection, increased rate of STDs and even problems getting pregnant. Doctors recommend that you do not douche.

Showering and peeing definitely don't work as contraceptive methods, or everyone hoping to avoid a pregnancy would be doing these things. No, showering or peeing after sexual intercourse does not kill sperm.[3]

And orgasm? While having an orgasm may increase the chances of pregnancy, not having one does not stop an egg from being fertilized and implanted into the uterine lining.

READ Men And Women Have Different Regrets About Sex

Finally, pulling out before ejaculation may well reduce the odds of pregnancy. Pre-ejaculatory fluid may escape before the climax itself, though, and it can contain sperm. This is not an effective birth control method at all.

Contraception, STIs And Responsibility

Preventing Unplanned Pregnancy: Your Options As A Guy

Contraception is, let's face it, mostly seen as a girl's responsibility. Considering the widespread availability of hormonal contraceptives that are completely female-dependent (the birth control pill, the Mirena coil, Implanon, birth control injections and more), this is somewhat understandable. Contraception should, however, be a responsibility shared by both partners. We all know that the full burden of an unwanted pregnancy is often placed in the girl's lap, but it shouldn't be that way.[4]

Guys who want to have sex without getting their girlfriend pregnant should never just assume their girlfriend is on birth control — having an open and honest conversation about contraception is a great start. Remember that the birth control pill can be forgotten or used incorrectly too. As a guy, your best bet is always to use condoms: every time you put on a condom, you can be sure contraception is truly being used, and you are also preventing sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are the safest form of contraception around, and they're widely available.

Should you have an "accident" — like a broken or forgotten condom — emergency contraceptives like Plan B are a good alternative. Emergency contraceptives delay ovulation and thicken cervical mucus, effectively trapping sperm to prevent fertilization. Though some work up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, emergency contraceptives should always be taken as son as possible... within the first few hours after unprotected sex would be great. Emergency contraception is now available over the counter in many countries. Always try your best to avoid the need for emergency contraceptives, however.[5]

There are two types of FDA-approved emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and some ECPs are available without a prescription.

• some ECPs can work when taken within five days of unprotected sex or
• when your birth control does not work correctly.

The Plan B One-Step® or a generic version should be taken as soon as possible or within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

There are also two-dose versions (they are branded as Next Choice®, LNG tablets 0.75 mg). A woman should take the first pill as soon as possible or within 72 hours after the intercourse and the second pill 12 hours later.

Ella® or Ulipristal acetate is for those who are searching for a bit more extended option: however, it should still be taken as soon as possible or within 120 hours or 5 days after unprotected sex.[5]

Let's Talk About STDs, Baby

Safe sex is about so much more than preventing pregnancy. You may be worried about becoming a father prematurely, but you certainly don't want HIV, Hepatitis B, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital warts, herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases either.

All sexually active people, especially those who have multiple partners, should also have regular STD tests so they can receive timely treatment if they do catch a sexually transmitted disease. 

It Takes Two To Tango

I'd encourage you to accept the fact that having sex always carries a certain amount of risk, unless you've both tested negative to STDs, are in a long-term committed relationship, actually want a baby, and are past your teens! Abstinence — not having sex at all — remains the safest option for those who completely want to eliminate the risk of pregnancy and STDs. Anyone who does decide to have sex should accept the possibility that either could happen. Young guys do want to have sex with their girlfriends should think about both these things.

READ Sexually Transmitted Diseases And Pregnancy: What You Need To Know

Go through the scenario in which your girlfriend gets pregnant several times. How do you think you would react? If your instant gut feeling is to run and hide, that's bad news.