We are glad you found EmpowHER! A common question has been asked: Am I pregnant if I make out with a boy, while wearing clothes? Can I be pregnant without intercourse?
There is so much misinformation about sex, and usually the limited information that is given resorts to using scare tactics, so much to where young women are afraid that when they merely look at a boy, or touch a towel that a boy has touched, that this could result in pregnancy!
Please know that becoming pregnant does not just “occur”.
If you are wearing clothes or otherwise “making out”, you are engaging in “safer sex” practices, however, in very rare cases pregnancy is most definitely possible. If it’s been less than five days since the act in question, you might want to take emergency contraception. There are several options including two types of emergency contraception pills (one that anyone can get over the counter without a prescription and one that you can get with a prescription from your health care provider). The IUD (both the hormonal and non-hormonal kinds) can also be used as emergency contraception.
If it’s been longer than five days, you can buy a pregnancy test at most drug stores or dollar stores, or you might be able to get a test for free at a local health center. The tests are easy—just pee on a stick or in a cup and get results in a few minutes. If you buy a home pregnancy test, read and follow the instructions that come with it.
You can find more information below that pertains to your specific situation, based on our most commonly asked questions.
We hope these answers to the most commonly asked questions were helpful for you and your specific situation! If you are ever in doubt, please talk with your health care provider about birth control options.