Can I Get Pregnant On My Period
Although it is very unlikely, it is not impossible to get pregnant during, or just after, your period. This is because it is possible to be in your fertile window while you are menstruating. But what exactly is your fertile window and how can a better understanding of your menstrual cycle help you to plan or prevent pregnancy?
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Is A Cycle Always 28 Days
The average cycle is 28 days but, for some women, it is as short as 21 days, for others it is as long as 35 days. When you first start having periods, it can also take a while before your periods develop a regular pattern. Your cycle also changes as you get older.
Your menstruation cycle stops temporarily when you are pregnant. Breastfeeding also affects your cycle. At the end of menopause, your cycle stops permanently.
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How Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period
The chances of getting pregnant when you’re on your period are low, but they’re not zero. So how could a pregnancy happen at the same time your body is deciding its not pregnant?
Lets break it down: At ovulation, your ovary releases an egg into your fallopian tube, where it can live for 24 hours awaiting fertilization before it travels to the uterus. Meanwhile, the uterus is building up a lining just in case it needs to host a growing embryo.
If egg meets sperm during ovulation and implants in that lining, bingo baby on board. If not, your body sheds both lining and egg .
Most womens menstrual cycles last about 24 to 28 days, from the first day of their period to the first day of the next period. Because the egg can survive for 24 hours after ovulation and sperm can live inside a woman for up to five days, a woman can get pregnant starting five days before ovulation and ending a day after.
Ovulation usually occurs 14 days before the first day of your next cycle which, if you have a 28-day cycle and a week-long period, leaves you a week between the last day of your period and the first day you ovulate.
But what if you have sex on the last day of your period and you ovulate a few days early? There could still be viable sperm inside you, and you could get pregnant.
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My Menstrual Cycle Is Still Irregular Has The Pill Affected My Fertility
Its unlikely the pill has caused any fertility problems, but it can sometimes cover up problems you already have, such as missing periods or PCOS .This is because the pill prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg , so although its normal to experience period-type bleeding on the pill, you dont have a real period.
Contact your GP if youre still having irregular periods 3 months after stopping contraception.
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Can You Be Fertile On Your Period
Asked by: Dr. Constantin McDermott I
Can you get pregnant on your period? Technically, people can get pregnant at any time during their menstrual cycle, though it is much less likely during their period. A person is most likely to get pregnant in the middle of their menstrual cycle. This phase is called the fertile window.
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Should I Take A Pregnancy Test If I Am 6 Days Late
You should take a pregnancy test if you are 6 days late. If your period is more than 7 days late, its time to take a pregnancy test. There are several different types of pregnancy tests available: urine tests, blood tests and ultrasound tests.
If youre not sure what type of test to use, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on which one is best for you.
A urine test checks for the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin in your body. It can detect this hormone as soon as 5 days after conception and up to 5 weeks after ovulation . Urine tests are inexpensive and easy to use at home.
If you are six days late, there is still a chance that you could be pregnant.
The most common reason for a late period is because of the fluctuating hormones during this time of the month. This can cause your period to be later than usual.
However, there are other reasons why your period may be late such as stress, illness or even a change in birth control pills.
If you think you might be pregnant, its best to take an early pregnancy test to confirm pregnancy before going for an abortion.
It might also be a good idea to talk with your doctor about whats causing your delay and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.
If youve been using birth control and its been more than a week since you had sex, its possible that youre pregnant. If youre worried, take a pregnancy test.
Questions You May Be Asked
Bleeding early in pregnancy isn’t normal. But it is common. If youve seen any bleeding, you may be concerned. But keep in mind that bleeding alone doesnt mean something is wrong. Just be sure to call your healthcare provider right away. They may ask you questions like these to help find the cause of your bleeding:
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When did your bleeding start?
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Is your bleeding very light or is it like a period?
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Is the blood bright red or brownish?
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Have you had sex recently?
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Have you had pain or cramping?
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Have you felt dizzy or faint?
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It’s Physically Impossible To Have A Period While Pregnant But There Are Some Other Reasons For Bleeding During The First Second And Third Trimesters
Can you get your period while pregnant? The short answer is no. “Pregnant people can certainly have vaginal bleeding during a pregnancy, but when they bleed, they are not having a ‘period,'” explains Michele Hakakha, M.D., a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist based in Los Angeles and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy .
Keep reading to learn why menstruation stops during pregnancy and other possible causes of vaginal bleeding and spotting during the first, second, or third trimester.
Be Prepared For These Questions
If you experience bleeding during pregnancy, be ready to answer these questions when you call or visit your doctor:
- How far along are you?
- When did you first have a positive pregnancy test?
- Have you had an ultrasound, and if so, what did it show?
- When did the bleeding start?
- Were there any obvious causes? For example, have you recently had intercourse or a vaginal exam?
- How heavy has the bleeding been?
- Have you had any pain or other symptoms with the bleeding?
If you are asked to make an appointment, your doctor is likely to check your cervix with a speculum. You might have an ultrasound or other testing to help learn the cause of the bleeding.
Many factors can cause spotting and bleeding during pregnancy. Because of that, its best to talk with your doctor if you have any bleeding. The bottom line is, if youre thinking about it, call your doctor.Thats what were here for, says Dr. McKenna.
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How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test
Pregnancy tests work by detecting a certain level of human chorionic gonadotrophin in your pee. You can take a pregnancy test as soon as youve missed your period. However, its best to wait at least one week after youve missed your period to get the most accurate results. While some tests claim to give you accurate results before a missed period, taking a test too soon can result in a false negative .
Your healthcare provider can take a blood sample to test for pregnancy as early as one week before a missed period.
What Are The Possible Side Effects
The biggest downside to having sex during your period is the mess. Blood can get on you, your partner, and the sheets, especially if you have a heavy flow. Aside from dirtying the bed, bleeding may make you feel self-conscious. Anxiety over making a mess can take some or all of the fun out of sex.
Another worry about having sex during your period is the risk of passing on a sexually transmitted infection like HIV or hepatitis. These viruses live in blood, and they can spread through contact with infected menstrual blood. Using condoms every time you have sex can reduce your risk of spreading or catching an STI.
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Menstrual Cycle And Pregnancy
The menstrual cycle includes the time from the first day of the period to the first day of the next period. Typically, the menstrual cycle is 28 days and the period lasts about 37 days.
The fertility windowthe time when a woman can conceiveis during ovulation. Ovulation is the event in the female body when the egg is released from one of the ovaries and usually happens in the middle of the period, about 14 days after the first day of bleeding. However, the fertility window may open at different points of the menstrual cycle.
How To Treat Yourself When Bleeding In Pregnancy
Breakthrough bleeding in pregnancy can happen at any stage, as discussed above. How heavy the bleeding depends on the person and condition she is on. Bleeding in later pregnancy can be alarming! In some cases, spotting and light bleeding are just a normal part of pregnancy.
In most of the breakthrough bleeding in pregnancy, you should rest as your treatment. But it is important to be cautious. If you experience any spotting that isnt for implantation bleeding or doesnt stop in a few hours on its own, your doctor may recommend for a visit as soon as possible.
Let your obstetrician or doctor know if you experience any symptoms, as mentioned above, for every server condition that you can get during your pregnancy periods. In many cases, prompt treatment for breakthrough bleeding in pregnancy can prevent complications and save both mothers and babys life. So, your baby can be the closest you will ever come to magic.
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Bleeding From The Placenta
A vaginal bleed without pain might be caused by an abnormally placed placenta. Its quite common to have a low-lying placenta in early pregnancy.
Usually, by the third trimester, the placenta will have moved up as the uterus grows and is further away from the cervix. Sometimes, though, this doesnt happen.
Here are three different placental problems that can result in a vaginal bleed:
Placenta previa
Placenta previa will usually result in a vaginal bleed at some point in your pregnancy usually after the 20-week mark.
There are different degrees of severity, but all cases of placenta previa require repeat ultrasounds for an accurate diagnosis.
If you have a placenta previa, to prevent risk to your baby, your doctor might recommend bed rest, induction, or c-section if the placenta remains over or too close to the cervix.
This article about placenta previa has more information.
Placental abruption
Another cause of vaginal bleeding later in pregnancies is placental abruption. This is where the placenta partially or completely separates from the wall of the uterus.
Symptoms include severe pain and bleeding.
The blood might be visible or remain in the uterus, which will be tense, tight, hard to the touch and very painful.
Contact your doctor or health care professional if you have any of these symptoms and go immediately to your nearest emergency department.
Depending on the severity of the bleeding, you might be recommended bed rest, an induction, or even a c-section.
Can You Get Pregnant Right After Your Period
You are moving into your fertility window, so yes, you can get pregnant right after your period. On a typical cycle that occurs every 28 to 30 days, the fertility window is usually between Day 11 and Day 21. Remember, sperm can live up to 5 days. If your period lasts for 5 to 7 days, and you have sex right after that, you are approaching your fertility window.
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Serena Williams Says She Had A Period While She Was Pregnant
Whether youre trying to become pregnant or trying your hardest to avoid it, you can usually take your period as a sign that you dont have to think about a baby anytime soon. But, in a new interview with InStyle, Serena Williams says she actually got a period during the early stages of her pregnancyand she was completely floored to find out that she was actually pregnant.
In the interview, Williams says that she didnt think it was even possible that she could be pregnant. She hadnt seen her now-husband Alexis Ohanian in like four weeks and literally had a cycle just before. Williams says she took the test just to shut my friend up and was completely surprised when it was positive. She was even more shocked when her doctor told her she was seven weeks along. Oh, and she was playing in the Australian Open at the time.
Ive Been Using Contraception Will This Affect My Cycle
This depends on what type of contraception youve been using. If youve been taking the pill, your period may be irregular when you first come off it, so try to give yourself up to 3 months for your natural menstrual cycle to get back to its normal routine.
The first period after stopping the pill is known as a withdrawal bleed. The next one after this is your first natural period.
The contraceptive injection can also affect your cycle. Your periods may change and become irregular, heavier, shorter, lighter or stop altogether. This can carry on for some months after you stop the injections.
If you use the contraceptive implant your fertility will return to normal as soon as it is taken out.
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Bleeding While Pregnant Can Sometimes Indicate An Emergency Situation
While implantation bleeding is innocuous, some other causes of bleeding are more serious. Bleeding early in pregnancy may also be a sign that the pregnancy isn’t in the uterus at all, but is in the fallopian tube, the cervix, or a C-section scar, says Dr. White. Bleeding may also be a sign of an impending miscarriage half of the people who bleed in early pregnancy will have a loss. Bleeding later in pregnancy, in the second and third trimesters, can be a sign of a problem with the placenta, or might be the onset of labor.
Preventing Miscarriage Next Time
Since most miscarriages are caused by genetic abnormalities or other health factors that are beyond anyones control, its important for women to understand that it isnt their fault, says Dr. Svokos. There isnt much you can do to prevent miscarriages. But staying healthy while trying to conceive and while pregnant is definitely the best approach. Her recommendations?
- Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid alcohol, recreational drugs and cigarettes
- Reduce caffeine intake to one cup a day
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Bleeding Later In Pregnancy: Why It Happens
Weve already discussed why it isnt possible to have a period during pregnancy, and why some people may experience light bleeding or spotting during their first trimester. Bleeding during the second and third trimesters is possible, though not common, and it may be an indicator that something else is going on. If you experience bleeding later in your pregnancy, its important to see your health care provider.
Potential reasons for mid- or late-term pregnancy bleeding include:
I Am Pregnant But Got My Period First Month
If you are pregnant and had your period in the first month, then its likely because of implantation bleeding.
Are you worried it may affect your pregnancy? You shouldnt.
About 30 percent of pregnant women have spotting during the first 3 months with implantation bleeding the most common cause. Implantation bleeding occurs a weeks before your next period or 10 days after ovulation.
However, if you still have period-like bleeding weeks or months after implantation, you should inform your doctor ASAP.
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How Is It Possible To Get Pregnant On Your Period
Its very unlikely that having sex during your period will result in pregnancy but its not impossible! Heres why.
The first thing to know is that most women will ovulate about 12 to 14 days before starting their next monthly bleed. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, and for most women, ovulation will happen between days 11 and 21 of their menstrual cycle.
The second thing to know is that sperm can survive inside the body for up to seven days after sex. However, for conception to happen, the sperm has to fertilise an egg within 24 hours of ovulation.
In short, the average woman only has about eight or nine days during her cycle when she can get pregnant. However, everyone is different, and some people have a shorter cycle, which means that there is less time between the start of their period and ovulation.
As an example, if you were to have sex on the second day of your period and ovulate seven days later, there would be a risk of pregnancy. The chances of this happening are low, but because its not always easy to know when youre going to ovulate, its difficult to predict the risk each time.