It may seem strange, but many people have this question: can anal sex cause pregnancy? Can ejaculation in this area so far from the uterus actually result in pregnancy? Let’s take a look at female anatomy to answer this question: the female body has 3 openings in the intimate area: the urethra (where urine comes out), the vagina (which leads to the uterus, where pregnancy occurs), and the anus, an organ that releases feces produced by the digestive system, connected to the rectum1. Between these 3 openings there is a layer of muscles and other organs, so there is no connection or passage between one and another. They are not connected even though they are very close together. They are literally different holes in the body.
During vaginal intercourse, ejaculated sperm falls directly into the vaginal canal. From there, it can travel to the uterus, and if the woman is in her fertile period, the chances of conception are much higher. However, if ejaculation occurs in the rectum, the sperm will go to the intestine, which has no connection at all to the fallopian tubes, where the egg waits for the sperm. Therefore, we can state that NO, anal sex does not cause pregnancy.
However, there are always some questions about this subject. Doubts may arise when a woman’s period is late or even when something unexpected happens during sex. It’s important to say upfront that condom use is very important, especially during anal sex2. The anus is a highly vascularized area and hosts a lot of bacteria, so the risk of catching a disease is higher if you don’t take certain precautions. Never insert a penis into the anus without a condom and then immediately penetrate the vagina, okay? The vagina is very sensitive and can be severely infected by serious illnesses if it comes into contact with the bacteria present in the anus. It is also recommended to change the condom before having vaginal sex after anal sex. So, let’s get to one of the biggest questions: Can anal sex cause pregnancy if semen runs out?
Is It Possible to Get Pregnant if Ejaculation From Anal Sex Runs Down to the Vagina?
This is a common question. There ARE cases in which unprotected anal sex happens and semen runs from the anus to near the vagina. However, there are two theories:
- Yes, there is a possibility of pregnancy if the woman is in her fertile period and the sperm manages to reach the entrance of the cervix. Normally, sperm can swim to where the egg is waiting. This falls under the possibility of pregnancy without penetration if there is intimate contact. The chances are low, but they do exist. It’s not impossible, but it’s unlikely. If in doubt, don’t take chances with the unpredictable.
- There is no possibility, because the sperm would not have cervical mucus to “swim” through to reach the uterus, and the distance is quite large compared to a microscopic cell. However, remember that semen is a very efficient conductive fluid. When in doubt, always use a condom3.
The same goes for ejaculation near the woman’s genitals. If she is fertile and there is intimate contact between the penis and the vagina, there is a low risk of pregnancy. If you still have questions, I recommend this post about pregnancy without penetration, which can be very informative. When in doubt, use a condom to avoid unnecessary worries and troubles.
