Yes, You Can Get Pregnant Without Having Sex—Here's How

Medically reviewed by Leyla Bilali, RN

You might wonder about the odds of getting pregnant without sex for multiple reasons. Maybe you're worried about an unprotected sexual encounter, you're in a same-sex relationship, or you're hoping to avoid painful intercourse resulting from conditions like vaginismus and vulvodynia.

No matter the scenario, it's important to know that you can technically get pregnant without having sex. While semen should be as close to the cervix as possible for conception (as it would after intercourse), you can also conceive if it comes near the vagina or vaginal opening, known as a "splash pregnancy." In addition, conception can occur through intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Keep reading to learn more about getting pregnant without sex, whether you want to encourage it or avoid it.

Can You Get Pregnant Without Intercourse?

Pregnancy without sex can happen in a few scenarios. For example:

• Ejaculation occurs right outside the vagina, and the sperm swims inside the reproductive tract

• Semen gets on someone's fingers and they're placed inside the vagina

• The erect penis comes into contact with the vaginal area (a small amount of semen is excreted before ejaculation, and this pre-ejaculate could technically cause conception)

Keep in mind that pregnancy is still most likely to occur with penis-in-vagina intercourse that happens near ovulation, which is when an ovary releases a mature egg about halfway through the menstrual cycle. The egg survives for 12-24 hours reproductive tract, while sperm can survive up to five days after sex. This means pregnancy can result from intercourse that happens on the day of ovulation or five days beforehand (known as your "fertile window.")

You can determine ovulation by using an online calculator, tracking your basal body temperature, trying an ovulation predictor kit, or other methods.

What Is a Splash Pregnancy?

A “splash pregnancy” or "virgin pregnancy" refers to a conception that occurs without penetration. Rather, it involves stimulating the penis to ejaculate close to the vaginal opening (accidentally or intentionally).

Getting Pregnant Through Artificial Insemination

Another option for getting pregnant without having sex is artificial insemination, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI). During an IUI procedure, prepared sperm is placed directly inside your uterus with a catheter. People can time IUI with their ovulation, or they can use fertility medications to increase the odds of conception.

Couples can also try in vitro fertilization (IVF). This procedure involves mixing sperm and egg in a laboratory and inserting the fertilized egg into the uterus. If the embryo attaches to the uterine lining, it will form a pregnancy.

Note that IUI and IVF can also be used as infertility treatments.

Takeaway

While pregnancy without intercourse is possible, you can't get pregnant from a toilet seat, swimming in a public pool, using a hot tub, or bathing in any other body of water.

What to Do If You Might Be Pregnant

If you think you might be pregnant, the first step is taking a pregnancy test. Wait until after you miss your period for the most accurate results. If the test is negative, consider waiting a few days and then trying again. If you test too early, it's possible the pregnancy hormone (hCG) isn't high enough for detection.

Symptoms of early pregnancy are similar to PMS symptoms: and they might include the following:

• Vaginal spotting about 10 to 14 days after conception (implantation bleeding)

• Light cramping

• Sore breasts
  

• Mood swings

• Fatigue

• Bloating

• Nausea

• Foos cravings or aversions

• Increased urination

• Headaches

Contact your health care provider with any concerns. Physician-administered pregnancy testing, especially blood testing, can detect pregnancy earlier than store-bought tests.

Preventing Unwanted Pregnancy

If you're concerned that you may become pregnant after an unprotected sexual encounter (even if it didn't include penetration), you might consider taking emergency contraception. Some brands can be obtained over the counter without a prescription. You might be able to take emergency contraception within five days of the sexual act (again, this depends on the brand).

Read the original article on Verywell Family.