Possibilities of pregnancy
Question
My girlfriend and I had sex a couple of weeks ago, we used a condom and I didn't ejaculate. The problem is her period is almost a week late. I know this could be due to stress but is there a possibility she's pregnant?
Answer
If used correctly, condoms are 98% effective. So if you used the condom properly and there were no rips or tears then it's unlikely she would be pregnant.
A girl's period can be late or disrupted by factors other than pregnancy, such as stress and illness so your girlfriend may have missed her period for a completely different reason. Even so, she might find it helpful to visit a service and have a chat to a nurse or doctor so they can discuss the possible reasons for her missed period and any solutions or treatments for the problem.
It is possible for a girl to get pregnant from other sexual activities. This is because there is a risk of pregnancy if sperm comes into contact with the vagina in any way - including from sperm on fingers. It's also important to remember that the penis leaks a few drops of semen as soon as it is hard, so there is a risk of pregnancy if this liquid comes into contact with the vagina, even if the man doesn't ejaculate. If any of these things happened then your girlfriend could have been at risk of pregnancy, although the chances are slim.
Taking a pregnancy test is the only way your girlfriend can find out for sure if she's pregnant or not. Most pregnancy tests state they work as soon as a period is late (i.e. one day). If your girlfriend doesn't have a regular cycle it may be difficult for her to know when a period is due. So it's best for her to take the test three weeks after having unprotected sex (this is roughly how long it will take for the hormone levels to show up on the test).
If your girlfriend is under 25, she can get a free test at her local Brook Centre with immediate results. She will also be able to talk through how she feels and what her options are, in confidence. You may also like go along to the Brook Centre with your girlfriend to provide extra support.
Alternatively, she can speak in confidence to her local doctor (GP) or a nurse at her local family planning clinic. Family planning clinics and some GPs provide free pregnancy testing. She can pay for a pregnancy test at her local chemist where they can either do the test there or sell her a home pregnancy testing kit.
If you, or your girlfriend, would like to discuss your situation further, the Brook Freephone Helpline is available on 0800 0185 023.
Updated: 06/06/2011
Question answered by YouthNet in association with Brook
