Former White House Doctor, Connie Mariano, weighs in on the topic of pregnancy and rape and tries to set the record straight about whether or not a woman can get pregnant from rape.
Dr. Connie Mariano: Just the facts and nothing but the facts about rape.
I'm former White House Doctor, Connie Mariano with this HER Health Minute.
Despite crazy comments by some politicians, we are here to share with you what you really need to know about rape.
Every two minutes in the US alone, someone is sexually assaulted.
According to Planned Parenthood, more than 5% of all rapes result in pregnancy, and more than 22 thousand unwanted pregnancies a year could be prevented, if women were given emergency contraception.
So what exactly are we talking about?
Rape is defined as forced vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse.
Ejaculation through vaginal or even anal intercourse can result in pregnancy, if semen enters the vagina.
Oral intercourse alone, forced or consensual, cannot lead to pregnancy.
According to RAINN, the rape, abuse, and incest national network, in 2004 to 2005, more than 64 thousand women were raped, and according to medical statistics there is a 5% chance of pregnancy following just one incident of unprotected sexual intercourse.
You do the math, 5% of 64,000 means there were more than 3,000 pregnancies in 2004 alone, due to rape.
So, Yes, it is very possible to become pregnant from rape.
I'm Dr. Connie Mariano for EmpowHER; To ask any question or for more information visit EmpowHER.com.
Add a Comment11 Comments
I am not quit sure who's side you are on??? From your post I am assuming that you believe in "legitimate rape?" I suppose a responsible rapist carries a condom for all occassions of sexual abuse? Seriously, what percentage of rapists use a condom? In reality, the 64,000 statistic is only the REPORTED rapes in 2004 and not an actual number either. THAT number would be much higher as well. Women who are raped feel shamed by their perpetrator and are less likey to report the abuse. Therefore, the number of possible pregnancies as a result of rape is higher also. The point is, RAPE IS A CRIME and not a right to father a child or dominate another human being. Think before you speak next time!
October 8, 2012 - 9:00amThis Comment