‘Does sperm die if wiped off?’

‘Are there chances of pregnancy when semen is wiped or washed off from vagina after unprotected sex?’

These are some of the common questions that arise concerning the ‘safe sex’ notion while people practice unprotected sex (intercourse without using a condom). But it is said that pregnancy is possible whenever ‘semen’ (a seminal fluid that is emitted from a man’s penis and contains sperm cells) is in or on the vagina. Also getting pregnant by wiping is unlikely, especially if the semen is not fresh or only a small amount enters the vagina.

Under what circumstances pregnancy occurs, if a person wipes semen inside the vagina?

• Very fresh semen: Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for several days because the environment is warm and moist, and the pH is right for sperm. Outside of the reproductive tract, sperm and its efficacy begins to perish immediately.
• Considerable amount of semen: While it only takes one sperm cell to get pregnant, the odds of pregnancy are lower when less semen is in the body.
• The right timing: For pregnancy to happen, sperm needs to enter the vagina at or just before ovulation.

Even if all of these circumstances happen, the likelihood of pregnancy remains low.

What are the ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy if vagina incidentally comes in contact with semen?

• If someone accidentally comes into contact with semen, such as by sitting on a spot where someone has ejaculated, they can try wiping the semen off with a wet cloth. This can help reduce the risk that the sperm will enter the vagina.
• Washing out the inside of the vagina — such as by ‘douching’. But it is not very effective in lowering the risk and may cause vaginal infections.
• If sperm does enter the vagina, and the person wants to prevent pregnancy, the safest strategy is to take emergency contraceptive which is also called as the morning-after pill.
• Wear a condom to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy.
• The “pull out” method is not a full-proof method and can cause pregnancy if not careful.

How much sperm does it take to get pregnant?

In theory, a single sperm is all it takes to get pregnant. But even in a large amount of semen, only a fraction of the sperm are healthy, moving, and sufficiently well-formed to cause a pregnancy.

What are the signs of early pregnancy? And how to practice safe sex, if pregnancy is a concern?

 It takes a week or two for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus, eventually leading to signs of pregnancy like spotting – a type of bleeding that is lighter than a period, nausea, swollen or painful breasts or nipples, unusual fatigue, more frequent urination, food cravings, headaches.

If pregnancy is a concern, then the individual can consult their Gynecologist and opt for a low-dose prescription of contraceptives pills that can be taken across the month. This can prevent pregnancy from happening if you are having unprotected sex. Contraceptive pills should NOT be taken without doctor’s prescription and supervision.

Or they can practice ‘safe sex’ by using condoms, not allowing a partner to ejaculate in or around the vagina, or if a partner ejaculates on the body, such as on the chest, then wipe the ejaculate off to prevent it from dripping on the vulva and LASTLY consider the birth control pill if condoms frequently break or a person prefers not to use them.

No studies have assessed the chances of pregnancy after semen is wiped outside or inside of the vagina. However, too many factors naturally interfere for this to be a likely path to pregnancy. So one needs to take safety precautions at all times to avoid chances of unplanned pregnancy.