Perusing fertility forums turns up a lot of interesting questions about the feminine reproductive cycle. Whether they’re trying to conceive or hoping to avoid having a baby, “Can you get pregnant in your period?” is really a surprisingly common question–with an unexpectedly complicated answer.
Period Sex and Pregnancy
I’ll admit, the very first time I saw this, I had been skeptical. Nearly all women take it for granted their period may be the only duration of the month when they’re basically guaranteed to not get pregnant.
You ovulate once per month, approximately two weeks before your period begins. The egg only lives 12-24 hours, and sperm need to get to the egg during that window in order for you to definitely conceive. Sperm, meanwhile, can reside in the uterine environment for up to 5 days, so that’s the duration of your functional “fertile window” each month.
If your periods last about 4-7 days, as well as your cycle is 4 weeks or longer, the chances that exist pregnant from period sex are simply zilch. A 28-day cycle means you’d ovulate on day 14. If your cycle is 30 days, ovulation day could be more like day 16. The first day of the period is first day, so even if you had unprotected sex on day Six or seven, and the sperm survived the entire 5 days, that still only goes to day 11 or 12, too soon for ovulation.
The thing is, not every women fit the 28-day mold. Normal menstrual cycle length can be as short as 21-24 days. For ladies with these shorter cycles, ovulation falls earlier, too. If you’re ovulating on day 10 or 11, it’s possible that sex throughout the tail end of your period can result in live sperm in position on ovulation day.
When Your Period Isn’t Your Period
“That time from the month” isn’t necessarily the only time you’ll find yourself grabbing a pad. Some women experience vaginal bleeding between their menstrual periods, and it’s possible for this blood to be dark and high enough to mistake it to have an actual period. Sometimes, this “breakthrough bleeding” coincides with ovulation.
You see where we’re going with this: Women with breakthrough bleeding might be in their most likely to conceive if they have sex at that time!
It’s vital that you focus on your menstrual period, because changes could be a manifestation of other health conditions. Try tracking your period which means you learn your body’s typical cycle length, just how long your period lasts, and whether you spot or bleed at different points inside your cycle. Particularly if you’re noticing red blood or enough to need a pad or tampon, let your doctor know, too. Some cervical or uterine issues may cause breakthrough bleeding, and you should get examined.
The Bottom Line
If it’s the first day or two of your period and you’re feeling up for sex, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll conceive. Your body’s natural shedding from the uterine lining will flush out a few of the sperm. More to the point, you’re probably too far from ovulation to possess surviving sperm left by the time you release an egg cell. (If your cycle is shorter than 21 days, talk to a physician.)
Toward no more your bleeding, particularly if you have short cycles and longish periods, you’re in additional of the gray area. Period sex isn’t optimum timing to try for a baby, so don’t depend on it if you’re hoping to conceive. But don’t assume you’re in the clear because you’re spotting, either. If you’re not prepared to have a baby, your safest plan of action is to use protection every time.