Can I Get Pregnant After My Period Ends

Stay Ahead Of The Trend In Fashion And Beyond With Our Free Weekly Lifestyle Edit Newsletter

How long after the cessation of a women’s menstrual cycle is it possible to have unprotected sex without the fear of pregnancy?

Dr Fred Kavalier answers your health question:

Menopause is defined as the time when menstrual periods cease. But the end of periods does not always coincide with the end of hormonal activity within the ovaries. Studies have shown that some women have hormonal levels in the six months after menopause that are indistinguishable from the levels before their last period. This means that the ovaries may still be capable of releasing an egg, which could result in pregnancy. Most women experience the menopause between 47 and 53. But for some women the age of menopause can be much earlier or a few years later. The usual advice is that a woman should wait one year after her last menstrual period before she stops using contraception. If the last period is under the age of 50, she should use contraception for a further two years. Fertility falls off from the late thirties, but there are plenty of stories of women in their late forties who go to see their doctor about hormone replacement therapy because their periods have stopped, only to find that they are pregnant.

Please mail your questions for Dr Fred to . He regrets that he is unable to respond personally to questions.

Can I Get Pregnant After My Period

Youre most fertile at the time of ovulation , which usually occurs 12 to 14 days before your next period starts. This is the time of the month when youre most likely to get pregnant. Its unlikely that youll get pregnant just after your period, although it can happen.Read more

• Can I get pregnant right after my period?

  Watch Youtube video

When Do You Ovulate After A Period

So how many days after your period do you ovulate?

This is a hard one to answer because periods and the cycles of which theyre a part are all different lengths, because, after all, were all different!

So, that means that ovulation after periods will be different, too.

Not sure whether youre ovulating? Check out these 9 Possible Ovulation Symptoms.

Read Also: How To Know My Period Is Coming

Causes Of Cramps After Period

Pain that appears midway through your cycle could be:

• Ovulation pain: Pain that suddenly develops midway through your cycle may be a sign of ovulation, which is when an ovary releases an egg. Cramps may be sharp or dull, and they occur either in the middle or on one side of your lower abdomen or pelvis. They can last anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days.
• Implantation: If you have menstrual-like cramps but no period, it might be implantation pain. This type of cramping outside of your period can occur as early as six days and as late as 12 days after ovulation. Implantation usually occurs just before the time youd normally expect your period and may be accompanied by light spotting. But if you ovulated early in your cycle i.e. right after your last period you could theoretically experience implantation cramping a week or so after your period.

If you experience cramps that begin with your period and continue after its over, or if you have abdominal pain throughout your cycle, it could be secondary dysmenorrhea linked to:

Dont Miss: What To Expect When 10 Weeks Pregnant

Can I Get Pregnant From Sex Right After My Period Ends

By | Dec. 1, 2017, 3:10 p.m.

Category:

I got off my period on Saturday and I had unprotected sex on Sunday. Im not sure. Could I be pregnant?

Anytime you have unprotected sex, theres a chance of pregnancy even during your period or right after your period ends. In fact, right after your period you may be even more likely to get pregnant from unprotected sex because youve just started a new menstrual cycle and you could start ovulating at any point.

If you want to avoid getting pregnant, use a birth control method like a condom, the pill, the IUD, or the implant.

If its been fewer than 5 days since you had sex without a condom or another birth control method, you can still use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

-Emily at Planned Parenthood

Recommended Reading: Signs Your Period Is Coming Tomorrow

Likelihood Of Getting Pregnant While Menstruating

Based on a typical 28 day menstrual cycle, its extremely unlikely to get pregnant while menstruating. The period marks the first day of a new cycle, and the fertile period starts around day 9-14. This means that for pregnancy to occur, youll need to have sex during the fertile window as sperm can only live inside the reproductive tract for around five days.

Of course, there are individuals who may experience irregular periods and determining the fertility window may be a bit challenging.

The chances of conceiving on the first few days of your period are when it is the most unlikely to conceive, although the likelihood does increase towards the end of the menstrual period.

How Does Getting Pregnant On Your Period Occur

In order for pregnancy to occur, sperm has to fertilize a mature egg. If you only had sex on your period and still got pregnant, this may point to a few things:

• That blood wasnt from your period: If you experienced some bleeding that you assumed was your period, its possible it couldve been implantation bleeding. Its normal to have a little bit of spotting after a fertilized egg burrows into the uterine lining. Taking a pregnancy test too soon after implantation or before implantation has actually occurred can result in a false-negative result. However, waiting seven days after implantation is likely to yield an accurate result.

So while the chances of getting pregnant from period sex are low, there are still some factors that can increase the chances. A shorter cycle, irregular menstruation, and spotting are just a few factors that can play a role.

Don’t Miss: Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Period

What Is Fertility Window

The fertility window is a period when a woman is most likely to get pregnant. According to research, a woman can get pregnant any day of the month if she has sex within her fertility window.

The length of this window varies from person to person, but it is generally between six and 12 days. The exact length depends on when ovulation happens in each womanâs cycle. So you can have ovulation after period.

To find out when you ovulate, you can use an at-home ovulation test kit or visit a doctor for testing. Because sperm can live for up to five days inside your uterus, you can have sex up to five days before and after you ovulate without affecting your chances of getting pregnant.

Can You Get Pregnant While On Your Period

The chances of getting pregnant while on your period are low, but pregnancy is still possible.

The answer lies in understanding the fertile window. For people who are trying to get pregnant, menstruation is not the best time to conceive. Getting pregnant depends on ovulation, which happens when an egg is released from the ovary and moves toward the uterus. The day of ovulation varies from one person to another and from cycle to cycle.

Although the chances of getting pregnant while on your period are low, there are exceptions. For example, it is possible to conceive during a period if ovulation occurs early in your cycle or if your periods last longer than five days.

The chances of becoming pregnant during menstruation are higher for people with shorter monthly cycles. Shorter cycles mean ovulation occurs early in the cycle. Because sperm can live for up to five days inside your body, having sex near the end of a period could lead to pregnancy if ovulation occurs early .

Generally, most people ovulate sometime between days 10 and 17 of their menstrual cycle. The earlier ovulation occurs, the earlier the fertile window will start. The fertile window begins five days before ovulation. If ovulation occurs on day 14 of a cycle, then the fertile window starts on day nine. But if ovulation occurs on day eight of a cycle, the fertile window begins on day three possibly in the middle of a period.

Recommended Reading: Donating Plasma While Breastfeeding

Also Check: Signs That Your Period Is Not Coming

Ovulation After Period: Can I Get Pregnant After My Period Ends

Here’s what you need to know about ovulation after period, fertility window and why contraception is important when you’re not trying to get pregnant.

Ovulation is a key part of the menstrual cycle. And many women often have a love-hate relationship with their period. Trying to find out when it will start, how long it will last, and if you can get pregnant are all tricky questions.

Only if your actual period was as precise as the period tracker app on your phone!

For those looking to get pregnant , your monthly fertile window is usually mid-cycle. This will translate to around the 14th day if you have a 28-day cycle. Of course, not every woman has a perfect menstrual cycle so the fertile window can vary for every individual and month-to-month.

But can ovulation take place after the period ends? While that may not always be the case, there are odds where it is possible.

If you sporadically ovulate early or late, you may get pregnant by having sex right before, during, or after menstruation.

So, if you were wondering about ovulation after your period, heres what you need to know.

• Spotting During Ovulation Period

Can You Get Pregnant A Week After Your Period

Yes, you can get pregnant a week after your period. There lies a possibility to conceive a week after your period if you have sex without contraception. It is more likely for women with a shorter menstrual cycle since their fertile window gets activated earlier.

Take home message: Always use effective contraceptive methods while having intercourse unless you are planning pregnancy, as none of the days of the month in menstrual cycles can be claimed as 100% safe days.

Recommended Reading: 6 Days Late Period How Many Weeks Pregnant

Also Check: Does Plan B Make Your Period Late

Questions You May Be Asked

Bleeding early in pregnancy isnt 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:

• When did your bleeding start?

• Is your bleeding very light or is it like a period?

• Is the blood bright red or brownish?

• Have you had sex recently?

• Have you had pain or cramping?

• Have you felt dizzy or faint?

I Had Sex 3 Days After My Period Can I Get Pregnant

Yes, a woman can get pregnant if she has unprotected sex 3 days after her period. However, it is very rare for a woman to get pregnant right after the period. It is possible as sperm can live in a woman’s reproductive tract for 7 days. The ovulation period can start for women with shorter menstrual cycles.

Don’t Miss: Why Do Girls Get Cramps On Their Period

What Can I Do To Get Pregnant

If you want to get pregnant, its a good idea to talk to your doctor. Many doctors will advise a few lifestyle changes if youre trying for a baby, such as taking a folic acid or prenatal vitamin supplements, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, and trying to maintain a healthy weight. You may also want to use an ovulation test to help you identify when your most fertile days are. You can see our range of ovulation tests and fertility monitors here to help you maximize your chances of conceiving.

Fertility During The Rest Of The Month

Tips For Those Preventing Pregnancy

Have sex only on days that are considered safe. The safest time is six or more days before ovulation, where the chance that a woman will get pregnant is virtually zero. These are the days of your period and a few days after the period. So whilst you can technically pregnant three days after your period, it is less likely on this day of your cycle.

Especially if you are planning to have sex during your fertile period, always use protection. Contraceptives come in many forms and methods. Birth control pills aim to prevent unplanned pregnancy by releasing synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation. However, when dealing with contraceptives, it is important to find the one that is right for you, as not doing so can lead to hormonal imbalances and changes to your body or mood.

Tips For Those Trying To Conceive

Most of the time, its all about finding the perfect timing. It is important to engage in sexual intercourse right away when you confirm that you are indeed fertile or are currently on your fertile window .

If you do fall pregnant, implantation bleeding can occur 10 to 14 days after conception. This is completely normal and can be a sign of a fertilized egg attaching to the uterus lining.

The best way to know your chances of pregnancy is to know your own body, be aware of its cycles and make sure you are always in optimal health.

Kidadl Team

Read Also: Light Bleeding A Week Before Period

How Do You Count The Safe Days After Your Period

Though safe days are just a prediction based on human calculations, it helps women understand their menstrual cycle well and know safe days to have unprotected sex without the fear of being conceived.

To calculate safe days, we need to start with calculating the length of a womanâs menstrual cycle. This length is calculated from the beginning of the menstrual period to day 1 of the next menstrual period.

The first week after the period is usually safe in a menstrual cycle as eggs are not producing and ovaries are still forming the eggs. A week before the next period cycle is also considered safe as ovulation is done, and there is less chance of fertilisation.

How Accurate Are Home Pregnancy Tests

Home pregnancy tests are quite accurate and reliable when you use them correctly. Most of the tests available at drugstores claim that they work 99 out of 100 times. Their accuracy is similar to that of a urine pregnancy test that you get in a doctors office or hospital.

• Because these tests work by detecting the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in your urine, their accuracy might be lower in early pregnancy or when you have just missed your period.
• If your pregnancy test comes out negative but you feel that you might be pregnant, repeat the test a week after the date you missed your period.

You may want to visit your healthcare provider if you are not confident about the result of your pregnancy test.

Also Check: How Much Should You Bleed On Your First Period

Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period If You Have An Irregular Cycle

Yes. If you have an irregular period, it can be harder to predict when youll be ovulating and that could cause you to get pregnant accidentally, since it can be harder to avoid having sex close to that time.

Here are a few types of irregular menstrual cycles, and how its still possible to get pregnant:

• You have a short cycle. Some women have cycles as short as 21 days and still ovulate, which means they dont have as much time between when they finish menstruating and when they next ovulate. And since sperm can live in your reproductive tract for a few days, if you happened to have sex during your period and then ovulated the following cycles egg two to three days later, that egg could encounter viable sperm. And you know what that means.
• Your periods last a long time. While your body is slowly shedding that uterine lining, the clock is ticking on ovulation and your next egg shows up while youre still bleeding from the previous months egg. So youre already fertile again which means you can get pregnant on your period.
• You have breakthrough bleeding, or spotting, when you ovulate. Especially if you have light or irregular periods, it would be easy to mistake this bleeding for a true period even though its happening when youre actually most fertile, since youve just ovulated.

Sometimes, however, an irregular period can be a sign that youre not ovulating at all, which is one cause of infertility.

What Should You Know About Bleeding After Period

• Spotting lightly after your period does not always mean you are pregnant. Most women thought its implantation spotting but its not. In fact, implantation spotting does not occur after your period, it happens a week before your menstruation.
• Women can positively conceive a baby only after ovulation and successful fertilization. The process occurs ten days after their menstrual cycle. Thus, the possibility of getting pregnant right after you have your monthly period is too low.
• Spotting a week after your period cannot be linked to early miscarriage. Unlike spotting, miscarriage is always accompanied with excessive bleeding and cramps.

Don’t Miss: Are Periods Supposed To Be Painful

How Not To Get Pregnant

If you want to get pregnant, plan to get frisky halfway between periods for the best chances. But if youre trying to avoid pregnancy, dont use your period as a guide. Instead, choose a reliable form of birth control.

Thats the best way to prevent pregnancy, Dr. Stephens says.

Yeah, you probably already knew that. But now you know the whole story.