Dear breean,

No. Urine is not a spermicide, and urinating before having sex will not "flush out" sperm. This is because ejaculate and pre-ejaculate are stored in the seminal vesicles — not in the urethra or bladder where the urine is.

Sperm are male sex cells that are made in the testicles. They can fertilize a woman's egg and cause pregnancy. There are millions in every drop of healthy semen. They move from the testicles to the seminal vesicles through two tubes. Each tube is called the vas deferens. In the seminal vesicles, sperm mix with other fluids to form semen. Usually, a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful of semen is released at a time.

Some experts do recommend urinating after having sex to clean the urethra of any bacteria that may have accumulated during sex. This seems to make sense, but scientists aren't entirely sure that this is helpful either.

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.