Dear jay10108,

No. Not only is it painless when the sperm and egg meet, but a woman doesn't feel it at all.

Pregnancy doesn't start the day that partners have intercourse — it can take up to six days after intercourse for the sperm and egg to join and form a fertilized egg. Then, it can take six to 10 days for the fertilized egg to completely implant itself in the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy begins during implantation when the hormones needed to support pregnancy are released.

The only way to be sure of a pregnancy is to take a pregnancy test. Women can purchase home pregnancy tests at drugstores or go to health centers to take pregnancy tests. Pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone called the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG). HCG is the hormone that supports pregnancy and starts being released when the fertilized egg implants itself and pregnancy begins.

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.