Virgin pregnant without penetration – Is it possible?

Pregnant without penetration – sounds mythical? Can you get pregnant from being fingered? It surprises many, but yes, it can happen, even to a virgin!

In my work I have had rare but occasional cases of ladies claiming be virgins, though pregnant. The question they ask is – how did it happen? Is it possible…. really possible? Here is my professional point of view.

The hymen has a small opening

In medicine, we say someone is a virgin anatomically or structurally. This is because there is a thin membrane – a hymen – that covers the entrance of the vagina. This is the membrane that breaks when one has sex for the first time, hence the term ‘breaking’ one’s virginity.

One however needs to remember that even virgins get their regular monthly period. How then, does menstruation flow out? Within the hymen there is a small perforation or opening. The menstrual flow of a virgin adolescent girl, flows out through this hole.

Sperms are highly motile

Virginity does not prevent semen from entering your vagina. Sperm that has been deposited in or near the vagina, will use the same opening through which menstruation flows to enter into the woman’s womb. Remember that sperm is highly motile (able to move) and it can easily pass through that small opening.

Integrity of the hymen

Some virgins lose the hymen long before they have had any sexual contact. They are “technical virgins”. Vigorous sporting does cause the loss of integrity of the hymen without sexual intercourse. There are other causes too. In such a case, there is nothing to prevent the semen from flowing into the womb if sperm is deposited near the vagina.

Penetration and semen deposit

When sexually stimulated a man produces some seminal fluid even before he reaches ejaculation. This fluid contains sperm that may enter the woman’s body and cause conception. Technically, all that is required is for sperm to be deposited in the vulva (external opening of the vagina), to gain access.

That explains to some extent why intimate contact, and attempted rape even without penetration may result in a pregnancy. For the same reason, the ‘withdrawal method’ of family planning may sometimes lead to a baby.

Conception will occur only if the woman is ovulating.

How will a virgin with a hymen deliver?

The doctor opens up the hymen and this allows access. This also makes it easier to carry out vaginal examinations in the course of labour and delivery. The fact that the hymen is not yet broken at the onset of labour should not worry a woman. This is because it is relatively easy for the caregiver to break it.

The degree to which the hymen is intact even without sexual intercourse, varies from one woman to another. Vaginal examinations may be relatively easy to carry out in technical virgins.

Ordinarily, the labour and birth process will break the hymen as the baby is born. There are extreme – and rare – examples where the hymen is rigid. In such instances a minor surgical procedure is necessary.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON CHANCES OF GETTING PREGNANT WITH PRECUM AND NO PENETRATION HERE

END: PG FEB-MAR 07/18