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KidsHealth > Teens > Expert Answers on. . . > Sexual Health > Can a Girl Get Pregnant the First Time She Has Sex?


Can a girl get pregnant the first time she has sex?
Jenna*

The simple answer is yes, it is possible for a girl to become pregnant the first time she has sex. Anytime a girl has vaginal sex with a guy, she is at risk for becoming pregnant. Even if a guy ejaculates outside of but near a girl's vagina, or pulls out before he comes, a girl can get pregnant.

It's also possible to get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) anytime you have sex, including the first time. Actually, whenever people have any kind of sexual contact (oral, anal, or vaginal) they run the risk of getting an STD.

Here are some ways reduce your chance of pregnancy and STDs:

Abstinence. The only way to completely prevent pregnancy and STDs is to abstain from sex.

Condoms to the rescue! If abstinence isn't in the cards for you, condoms are cool, rubbery, and your next best option in avoiding both pregnancy and STDs. Talk with your partner beforehand and let him know that condoms are a necessity, not an option, even if you are using another form of birth control as well. Don't let him get away with the ol' "I forgot to bring one" line — always toss a back-up in your purse before you go out, just in case.

If, for whatever reason, you and your partner were caught with your pants down and no condom on (or a condom that broke), contact your doctor as soon as possible to set up pregnancy and STD tests.

If you have ever had sex, or are thinking about having sex, talk with your doctor about birth control options and to make sure you're healthy.

For more information, check out these articles:
About Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Condom
Abstinence
About Birth Control: What You Need to Know
Talking to Your Partner About Condoms
Virginity: A Very Personal Decision
Withdrawal

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.





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