Precum (as it's name suggests) is a clear sticky fluid that's fired off before full-blown ejaculation. And while the sperm count in precum is minimal, there's still a chance of it fertilising a few eggs.
Research published in Human Fertility looked at precum and semen samples of 27 participants. Results found that 41 per cent of precum samples contained live sperm. However, only 37 per cent of the sperm-carrying samples were motile enough to result in pregnancy.
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Urologist Dr. Amin Herati from The johns Hopkins University agrees odds are minimal - but it can happen.
“Typically, it’s not enough for pregnancy,” Dr. Amin Herati told Self. “The likelihood of pregnancy [from pre-ejaculate] is very low, but it’s never zero.”
But let's not forget about sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).
“Because the fluid has biologic cells in it, it can transmit STIs,” Dr. Herati continues.
With several infections producing discharge, “STI risk is there whether ejaculation [or pre-ejaculation] occurs or not.”
So there you have it, folks, wrap it before you tap it.
This article originally appeared on Men's Health US.
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