Pregnancy from water splashes hitting a toilet seat and hitting back vagina

[Mahaa]

Hi, I am worried about the possibility of getting pregnant from the water splashs from handheld bidet hitting the toilet seat surface and hitting back my vagina. The seat was a little wet and I sat in Squatty potty position.

[Latha]

Hello Mahaa, welcome to the boards!

Don’t worry, there is no risk of pregnancy in this situation. For pregnancy to occur, semen must have direct contact with the vulva or vagina - that didn’t happen here. Also, sperm cells are quite delicate. They would not survive being transferred between multiple surfaces, nor would they survive in a bathroom, which is far from an environment.

If you would like, you can read more about this here: Who's Afraid of Sperm Cells? . Let us know if you have any other questions!

[Mahaa]

Thank you so much for your help.
One last question, even if many splashes or droplets of water hit the seat and hit back the vaginal area, there is nothing to worry about? Even if the sperm was deposited on the seat (although I didn't see anything looking like semen, but I think about the tiny possible amounts)

[Heather]

It sounds like you may just not know how human reproduction works.

Why don’t you take a little time and read through this walkthrough. You’ll then understand that this is not even in the realm of possibility: https://www.scarleteen.com/read/pregnan ... rers-guide

If that and the article Latha linked you to still don’t convince you, then we can be sure your worry isn’t about facts, but feelings, and we can talk about that with you from there.

[Mahaa]

Thanks so much. Actually these kind of intrusive thoughts keep being replayed in my mind, because I can't find any other reason why my period is late. And I should have had my period by now.
I think about the possibility of sperm on the toilet seat even if I don't see anything. I worry about the tiny and minuscule spots that I don't see, or maybe larger spots I may not pay attention to. And I use handheld bidet to wash myself, and one or two times, many splashes hit the seat and I felt it hit back my vaginal area. And it is said only one sperm is needed to cause pregnancy.

[Heather]

Did you read that article? Sounds like you haven’t, so I would strongly suggest it. It makes clear, for instance, that HUNDREDS of sperm cells are needed for pregnancy. Not one. That’s a simple story children are told, not reality.

Have you ever struggled with intrusive thoughts before? About anything else?

[Mahaa]

Than you so much. and yes, I have read it. I have had these kind of thoughts about getting sick or infections among many other intrusive thoughts. I think these are OCD related.

[Heather]

Sounds like you may be right. Do you have the ability to be evaluated?

[Mahaa]

Evaluated about having anxiety disorders? Or OCD? Yes, I think I have.

[Latha]

Hi Mahaa,

Then I think seeking mental health support for OCD might be a good next step. There really is no chance of pregnancy here, but it seems like you’re struggling to trust this information. This is an anxious thought pattern, which is something that a therapist can help with.

I’d like to share two resources. The first is a guide to starting therapy. Some of it might not be applicable where you are, but most of it is generally useful. The second link is a guide to some strategies you can try on your own to manage anxious thoughts.

• Process This: Getting the Most Out of Therapy

• Self Help: Managing Your OCD at Home

[Mahaa]

Hi dear Latha,
Thank you so much. I will definitely read them ASAP. I spend many hours every day struggling with these thoughts, and seek reassurance. I appreciate your concern and help. It really means a lot

[HannahP]

I'm so glad that Heather and Latha's responses and resources were helpful for you, Mahaa! Struggling with these thoughts for hours every day sounds very difficult and exhausting, so I hope they can help you find some relief.