Can Fingering or a Hand Job Lead to Pregnancy or a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)?
They can, though fingering and hand jobs are not the main culprits here.
It’s possible that fingering results in pregnancy if your partner has contact with sperm before introducing their fingers into your vagina. This is explained by the lifespan of sperm cells outside of the body.
According to Kimberly Langdon MD, “a majority of sperm will die within 15 to 30 minutes on skin or surfaces." Environmental factors outside of the penis will make it more or less likely for sperm to survive. “Sperm on a dry, cold bed sheet may die faster than sperm on a warmer surface like human skin,” explains Urologist and Male Fertility Specialist Michael A. Witt, MD.
Within the female reproductive tract however, sperm cells can live up to 5 days; thus, if pre-cum fluid or semen touches the vagina, even without penetration, it is technically possible for sperm to travel to the fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), on the other hand, might be transmitted through fingering or a hand job in various different ways. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites are known to be transmitted through sexual contact.”
If your partner touches their genitals with their hands and later touches yours, you might get an STI and vice versa. If your hands have contact with the sexual fluids of your partner, and you later touch your own genitals, your eyes, your mouth or a wound, you might get an STI. According to Family Doctor, “These infections [STIs] are usually passed from person to person through vaginal intercourse. They can also be passed through anal sex, oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact.”
“STIs can be caused by viruses or bacteria. STIs caused by viruses include hepatitis B, herpes, HIV, and the human papilloma virus (HPV). STIs caused by bacteria include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.”
— Familydoctor.org, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Ray Children’s San Diego Hospital recommends you ask your sexual partners to “wash [their] hands before touching your genitals. And if either of you has a cold sore, [they recommend not to] have oral sex. The virus that causes cold sores can transfer to the genitals and become genital herpes.” They also recommend using a dental dam “when a [vulva-owner] is receiving oral sex or condom when a [penis-owner] is receiving oral sex to protect against infection.”
The likelihood of either of these situations taking place is very low, but not zero. According to Connecticut Children’s Hospital, getting an STI from fingering or a hand job is a more likely situation than getting pregnant.
