How safe is the 'safe period'?

Does the pre-cum of a male carry sperms? Can a female get pregnant with it?

Dr. Rajan Bhonsle Dr. Rajan Bhonsle, M.D., is a senior Sex Therapist & Counsellor from Mumbai. He started India's first full-fledged 'Pre-Marriage Counselling centre'.

Pre-cum and pregnancy

Nikhil asks,
Does the pre-cum of a male carry sperms? Can a female get pregnant with it?
Dear Nikhil,
The pre-cum better known as 'Pre-ejaculatory fluid' comes from "bulbo-urethral glands" located at the base of the penis shaft. It serves the purpose of lubrication during intercourse. Generally this fluid is not expected to have sperms, however very often sperms are found to be present accidentally, resulting in pregnancy.

Refractory period

Sunder asks,
How long after ejaculation can a man get a second good erection?
Dear Sunder,
When a man is having sex, his 'endorphin' level is very high. Almost immediately after ejaculation, he goes through a 'refractory phase' in which he loses his erection, he crashes and all his systems gear down. The refractory period changes from person to person. However after the refractory period, which could be 20 minutes to a few hours, one can get an equally good erection once again. The level of erection depends on the level of excitement and stimulation.

Urine infection after sex

Ramu asks,
Why is that whenever we have sex after a long gap my wife gets urine infection even though both of us maintain proper personal hygiene?
Dear Ramu,
Mechanical rubbing during intercourse can cause urethral inflammation in females. In spite of all the so-called hygienic precautions, infection can enter the inflamed urethra and bladder causing urinary infection.

This is a common complaint known as 'honeymoon urethritis'. Whenever there is a 'gap', excitement levels are high. This causes aggressive movements and harder rubbing of organs. An aggressive mechanical rubbing during intercourse causes this problem. Try to be gentle during intercourse. Women enjoy it better that way. Also engage in prolonged (20-25 minutes) and mutually satisfying foreplay. This will produce adequate lubrication in her vagina for an enjoyable intercourse. Lack of lubrication (which is likely to be either due to a lack of interest, lack of relaxation during the act or lack of adequate foreplay) can also be the cause of urethral (or even vaginal) injury and inflammation.

Hymen

Kalpana asks,
What is Hymen? Is bleeding during the first intercourse a sign of the girl's virginity?
Dear Kalpana,
The hymen is a thin membrane that covers the vagina. It may get torn without the girl's knowledge while doing certain sports activities. It may also get torn due to masturbation or use of tampons. Sometimes it is absent since birth or just folds naturally along the walls of vagina. If it is unbroken, a little bleeding may takes place at the first intercourse, however it CANNOT be regarded as a test of the girl's virginity.

Safe period

Minali asks,
When does the ovulation happen? What is the safe period and unsafe period? How safe is a 'safe period'?
Dear Minali,
Ovulation happens around 14 days before the first day of the next expected date of MC. About five days before and after this day of ovulation, including the day of ovulation are the days when there is a possibility of pregnancy, making them 'unsafe'. Rest all the days are supposed to be safe.

In a thirty days menstrual cycle, days 12 to 22 are the most likely days when a woman can get pregnant. This period is also known as 'unsafe period'. Rest of the days are supposed to be safe. Safe periods are not very safe, as they are calculated with the presumption that the MC periods are 'regular'. It is very common for periods to go irregular due to various physiological as well as psychological causes. In that case the calculation of safe period can go wrong, making it 'unsafe'.

Content Courtesy ShaadiTimes