Dear ratty22,

Even though you and your boyfriend are having outercourse — sex play that does not include vaginal intercourse — pregnancy is possible any time ejaculate or pre-ejaculate gets in the vagina or on the vulva. Therefore, pregnancy can happen if, for instance, ejaculate soaks through from his boxers into your underwear.

Outercourse includes body rubbing, masturbation, deep kissing, erotic massage, role playing, and sharing fantasies with a partner. Outercourse is a form of birth control. It is also a lot like foreplay. They both add to sexual excitement and pleasure. And they can both lead to orgasm. The difference is that foreplay usually leads to intercourse. Outercourse may make you feel like having intercourse. Be careful! If you are going to have intercourse, you need to use another form of birth control — and protection from infection.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.