Can You Get Pregnant And Still Have A 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 it’s 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 you’re not ovulating at all, which is one cause of infertility.

How Will Menopause Affect Me

Symptoms of menopause may begin suddenly and be very noticeable, or they may be very mild at first. Symptoms may happen most of the time once they begin, or they may happen only once in a while. Some women notice changes in many areas. Some menopausal symptoms, such as moodiness, are similar to symptoms of premenstrual syndrome . Others may be new to you. For example:

• Your menstrual periods may not come as regularly as before. They also might last longer or be shorter. You might skip some months. Periods might stop for a few months and then start up again.
• Your periods might be heavier or lighter than before.
• You might have hot flashes and problems sleeping.
• You might experience mood swings or be irritable.
• You might experience vaginal dryness. Sex may be uncomfortable or painful.
• You may have less interest in sex. It may take longer for you to get aroused.

Other possible changes are not as noticeable. For example, you might begin to lose bone density because you have less estrogen. This can lead to osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and break easily. Changing estrogen levels can also raise cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Talk to your doctor about possible treatment for your menopause symptoms if they bother you.

What Happens After Menopause

After menopause you will no longer be able to get pregnant and you will no longer get a period. If you have any type of vaginal bleeding after menopause, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Vaginal bleeding after menopause is not normal and can mean that you have a serious health problem.

You may experience any of the following after menopause:

• Low hormone levels. With menopause, your ovaries make very little of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Because of changing hormone levels, you may develop certain health risks, including osteoporosis, heart disease, and stroke.
• Menopause symptoms instead of period problems. After menopause, most women get relief from period problems or menopause symptoms. However, you may still experience symptoms such as hot flashes because of changing estrogen levels. One recent study found that hot flashes can continue for up to 14 years after menopause.6,7
• Vaginal dryness. Vaginal dryness may be more common post-menopause. Learn more about treatments for vaginal dryness.

You May Like: Can You Donate Plasma On Your Period

Can You Ovulate Without Having A Period

• Ask Amie

Lets clear up any misconceptions about regular vs. irregular periods and how they relate to ovulation and fertility. While ovulation and periods naturally go together, it is possible to ovulate without having a period. This often occurs for women with irregular periods. Conversely, it is possible to experience monthly bleeding with no ovulation. However, that

The Causes Of Irregular Periods You May Be Overlooking

One of the main causes of an irregular period is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . PCOS is an imbalance in the hormones controlling the reproductive system. PCOS causes irregular ovulation, cysts on ovaries, bleeding, and infertility. Research shows PCOS cases double miscarraiges and premature deliveries.

Don’t Miss: New Hire 90 Day-probationary Period Template

Why You Can’t Have A Period While Pregnant

A true period is blood loss that occurs at the end of a menstrual cycle as a result of your egg not being fertilized by sperm. When an egg goes unfertilized, hormonesthe ones that control the release of the egg into your fallopian tubes and cause your womb lining to thickendrop in levels at the end of the month. Your womb lining then disintegrates and is shed in what we commonly refer to as a period.

• RELATED: How Your Period Affects Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

If you’re pregnant, an egg has already been fertilized and is growing as an embryo within the walls of your uterus. Since your womb lining is not being discarded at the end of each month, you no longer have a period. This is why one of the early signs of pregnancy is a missed period.

When Should You Take A Pregnancy Test

Wait until the first day of your missed period to take a home pregnancy test.

But if you can wait a little longer, taking the test one week after the date of your missed period may produce the most accurate result.

If you have an irregular cycle, wait one to two weeks after you had sex to take the test.

This will allow your body to develop high enough human chorionic gonadotropin levels to be detected by the test.

If you get a positive result, you might want to check again in a day or two since its possible to get a false positive. Then reach out to a medical provider to confirm the results.

Read Also: 90 Day Probation Period Template

What Is The 2

The “2-week wait” is a term that has been used to describe the time interval between ovulation and implantation, or the approximate point at which a pregnancy test will yield a definitive answer. Many tests available on the market today are able to determine if you are pregnant, even before the date of the expected menstrual period.

Fertility Awareness And Family Planning

Some women use fertility awareness as a method of natural birth control. One of the tools used is something called the Standard Days method. This establishes that if you have a period that is between 26 to 32 days long, days eight through 19 will be your most fertile days. However, this method is most effective when you have regular menstrual cycles.

If a woman has a regular period and uses the method perfectly, less than one to five women out of 100 will become pregnant. However, the key words here are perfect use. The typical use rate is different. Typical use means that the methods may be done incorrectly or measured inconsistently. In the first year of this typical use, 12 to 24 women out of 100 will become pregnant.

Don’t Miss: Employee Probationary Period Template

Can You Get Your Period While Pregnant

A period will not be the cause of any bleeding during pregnancy.

When a woman is pregnant, she does not continue to ovulate and will not have a period. Menstruation only occurs when a person is not pregnant.

Although it is possible for women to experience some bleeding during pregnancy, this will not be due to their menstrual cycle.

Some women also do not have any periods while breast-feeding. However, they may still begin to ovulate again soon after giving birth. Therefore, doctors may recommend some form of birth control while a woman is breast-feeding if she does not wish to get pregnant.

The menstrual cycle occurs to facilitate pregnancy. The cycle begins on the first day of a persons period and ends on the first day of the following period.

Ovulation, when the ovary releases an egg, occurs midway through the cycle.

An egg is only viable for about 1224 hours after a woman ovulates. If sperm cells are present and able to fertilize the egg, the egg will implant itself in the uterus, resulting in pregnancy.

If there is no fertilization, menstruation will occur, and the body will shed the uterine lining so that it can begin making a new one for the next cycle.

When Can You Get Pregnant After Your Period

Chapel Hill Obstetrics & GynecologyFertility & Family Planning, Infertility Treatments, Pregnancy

Understanding your menstrual cycle is crucial to defining when you ovulate and calculating when you are most likely to get pregnant.

Women should be aware that if they have an irregular period, it can make the ovulation days difficult to determine. Said Dr. Martinelli. When examining fertility, its important to realize that an egg can survive for about 24 hours after ovulation, and sperm can live inside a womans body for three daysthough sometimes its possible for them to survive for five days.

Don’t Miss: Usaa Grace Period Auto Insurance New Car

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.

Can I Get Pregnant With An Irregular Period

Yes, because women with irregular periods can still ovulate, however, the timing of ovulation may be harder to predict, Dr. Sandsmark said.

Sometimes making lifestyle changes can regulate previously erratic periods and help you conceive. Some women, however, may require the use of other treatment options.

Here are some general guidelines when it comes to conception and medical evaluations:

• If youre younger than 35 years old and have been having unprotected sex for 12 months with no success
• If youre over the age of 35 and have been having unprotected sex for 6 months or more
• If youre 40 years old or older

Also Check: 90 Day Probationary Period Template

What About Right After Your Period

Its unlikely though slightly more likely than if you have sex during your period.

If you have sex right after your period and you ovulate early that month, its possible to get pregnant.

This is more likely with people who have a shorter-than-average cycle, because ovulation occurs more frequently.

Your period will only start if the egg isnt fertilized and the cells are reabsorbed.

This causes estrogen and progesterone levels to fall and menstruation to begin.

However, you may experience some spotting during early pregnancy.

One study found that 14 out of 151 participants experienced one day of vaginal bleeding in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.

Furthermore, 15 percent to 25 percent of people may experience spotting during the first three months of pregnancy.

Taking note of the timing and any other symptoms present can help you differentiate between typical menstruation and pregnancy-related spotting.

Implantation bleeding usually occurs 6 to 12 days after conception. Its caused by the fertilized egg attaching to your uterus lining.

This light spotting usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours and is generally much lighter than the average period.

You may also experience spotting as a result of increased blood flow in the cervix. This type of spotting is most common after sex, a Pap test, or a pelvic exam.

If youre experiencing unexpected bleeding, see a doctor or other healthcare provider.

What Are The Causes Of Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy

According to a study published in the Annals of Epidemiology, 25% of pregnant women may experience spotting during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

There are a variety of causes for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. The causes of vaginal bleeding are often dependent on the trimester you’re in. The below table categorizes what bleeding may mean during different trimesters.

“In the first trimester, bleeding can occur about one-to-two weeks after fertilization when the pregnancy implants into the uterus,” says Demosthenes. “The cervix also has some changes in pregnancy which may lead to some slight bleeding after intercourse, a pap smear, or pelvic exam. All of this bleeding is scary but harmless.”

Although light vaginal bleeding may not be cause for concern in the first trimester, spotting or bleeding during your second trimester may be a sign of a medical emergency.

“During the second half of pregnancy, bleeding can mean something serious so should always be checked out,” says Demosthenes. “Bleeding, pelvic pressure and a mucous discharge can signal something called an ‘incompetent cervix‘ this is more common in the second trimester.”

If you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding of any kind while pregnant, you should seek immediate medical attention as it could indicate something more serious such as an impending miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

Don’t Miss: Donating Blood While Menstruating

A Curious Case Of Anovulation

Irregular periods may also be a sign of anovulation. During the menstrual cycle, a mature egg releases. When ovulation does not occur, the cycle is anovulatory. Though not a disease, research shows consistent anovulation indicates an underlying fertility or hormonal issue. In most cases, doctors prescribe fertility drugs or other treatment to improve ovulation and regulate the period.

Can I Get Pregnant A Couple Of Days After My Period Has Ended

Its possible, but also unlikely. Though there is always risk of pregnancy if you have sex without contraception. If you ovulate early when you have short menstrual cycles you may be able to get pregnant this time of the month. However, once youve finished your period youre moving into your fertility window, which means your chances of getting pregnant increase as you approach ovulation.

Read Also: Can You Donate Blood While Menstruating

Can You Get Pregnant If Your Not Getting Your Period

Answer itcan get pregnantperiodGetting pregnantcanperiodbecome pregnant ifpregnancy

Also asked, can you still ovulate and not have a period?

cycleyouoneyou couldovulatingcycleyou couldovulating withoutperiodsyou ovulateyou can

Can you get pregnant if you don t have a period at all?

notgetting pregnantyoudo notperiodyoupregnancy