Can You Get Pregnant If You Are On Your Period

Socan I Get Pregnant While On My Period

Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? | Parents

It is exceedingly unlikely to get pregnant while on your period. If your vaginal bleeding is a true period, then this is an indicator that you are having regular ovulatory cycles and can be your most valuable insight into your fertility cycle. If you are having really long cycles or irregular bleeding, the chances of becoming pregnant can change because it is less clear where you are in the cycle.

It can be difficult to figure out your fertility cycle, but your provider is there to help you, Harper said. Whether you want to be pregnant or not, you should try to understand your cycle. Once you do, then you can make better-educated decisions about your sexual health.

Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, , 979.436.0611

When Are You Least Likely To Get Pregnant

So you now know when you’re most likely to get pregnant, but at what point during your menstrual cycle are you least likely? You’re least likely to get pregnant right before your period, aka right before your cycle begins, because that’s when your fertility window and period probably won’t overlap. However, Dr. Bhuyan still stresses that you can still get pregnant at any point in your cycle, particularly if you’re someone who doesn’t have a very regular cycle.

Know Your Most Fertile Days

Keep in mind that your most fertile days are two days to one day before ovulation.

Your fertile window typically starts on Day 10 of your cycle if you have a regular 28-day cycle. Longer cycles indicate that the ovulation date is further away, whereas shorter cycles indicate that ovulation occurs earlier than usual. It is important to track your period and your ovulation cycle especially if you have irregular cycles.

Think of it this way: you are most fertile midway through your menstrual cycle. Before and after this middle period in the cycle, you are less likely to conceive. Although the chances of getting pregnant are low, its possibility still exists.

Read Also: What To Do For Heavy Periods

Top Reasons Your Vaginal Bleeding May Not Be A Period

One of the biggest margins for error while using fertility awareness as a method of birth control comes from a misidentified period. Not all vaginal bleeding is a period. A woman may bleed from a hormonal imbalance, cervical lesion, recent trauma and even pregnancy.

If you are tracking your menstrual cycle and the bleeding is consistent in terms of heaviness, color and timing, then you can likely count on it being your period, Harper said. However, there are many women that find it difficult to track their period because irregular bleeding can be due to illness or another underlying cause.

If you are having difficulty or need help starting, talk with your OB-GYN or primary care provider.

How Long Should A Normal Menstrual Cycle Last

Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period? Here

An average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, defined from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the first day of bleeding of the next period. However, irregular periods are very common. An irregular period is defined as a cycle that varies by more than seven to nine days.

There are several reasons why women may have abnormal periods, which can include fibroids, ovarian cysts, polyps, and even something as common as stress.

If youve constantly had an irregular period, please contact us for an appointment to determine the underlying cause and initiate treatment, said Dr. Martinelli.

Read Also: How Do You Calculate Your Period Cycle Length

What To Do When It Starts

When a period begins, try to find a way to absorb the blood. A female can do this by asking a friend or family member for a pad or tampon.

If it is not possible to use a pad or tampon, try to wrap something absorbent, such as toilet paper or a clean washcloth, around the crotch area of some underwear. This can absorb the blood and prevent leaks.

It can be helpful to prepare a period kit before the first period arrives. This can help with feeling ready. This period kit could consist of:

  • an extra pair of underwear
  • a variety of tampons and pads, so a female can choose what works best for them
  • unscented baby wipes to clean any leakages

Most periods last for

Recommended Reading: How To Get Dried Period Blood Out Of Sheets

Can You Get Pregnant On The First Day Of Your Period

It’s possible though not very likely for you to get pregnant on the first day of your period, especially if you have a regular, 28-day cycle.

If you have an irregular or a shorter menstrual cycle, however, ovulation might occur much closer to day one of your period, which would cause you to get pregnant on the first day.

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Can You Take Emergency Contraception

If you had unprotected sex and want to avoid pregnancy, take emergency contraception as soon as possible.

There are two main types the copper IUD and the hormonal EC pill and they can both work up to five days after unprotected sex.

The IUD prevents pregnancy by producing an inflammatory reaction thats toxic to sperm and eggs.

Its more effective than the morning-after pill, but its only available by prescription and has to be inserted by a doctor within five days of unprotected sex.

The pill delivers a high dose of hormones to delay ovulation or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting to the uterus.

Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and MyWay are all available over the counter.

Which should you use?

There Are Several Reasons Ovulation Might Be Disrupted:

Can you get pregnant while on your period? – Pandia Health

Even if you dont ovulate early or skip a month, you might have naturally short or long cycles. Most folks ovulate 2 weeks after their flow ends, but some people ovulate within a week after your flow.

The specifics of your fertile window matter because sperm stick around for days after ejaculation. Hence, squeezing in an unprotected sex sesh just before your fertile window could still result in pregnancy.

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Tips To Prepare For The Big Day

Make your home a comfortable place for the impending birth. If you normally let your cat go outside, stop that, to avoid them to go into labor during one of their walkabouts.

About 2 weeks before the due date, you may notice your cat is acting different as they get into nesting mode. To help out, you can scan your home for a good birthing spot for them. Find a medium-sized box with a low opening, and cover it with newspapers, old towels, and soft blankets to create a relaxing area for the mother and their future kittens.

You should place the nesting box in a quiet corner of your house. Let your pregnant cat visit it often, before the birth, so they get used to the area and feel comfortable.

Keep in mind that you can guide your cat as much as possible and set up the ultimate birthing spot, but they are going to do what they are going to do. If they want to give birth in a laundry basket, behind the garbage can, or in the back of your closet, they will.

When you notice that the cat is in nesting mode, take them to the vet for their final prenatal visit. The vet will give you more information about how to prepare for the delivery, check on the mother and kittiesâ health, and tell you want to do if thereâs an emergency during the birth.

Two clues that the big day is coming: Cats usually stop eating 24 hours before they give birth, and their temperature drops below 100 F. Youâll meet those kittens soon!

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We Offer Extensive Options For Both Infertility Treatment And Birth Control

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How Much Bleeding Is Normal In Early Pregnancy

Light bleeding, or spotting, during pregnancy is common, especially during the first trimester. It is considered spotting when you notice a few drops of blood occasionally in your underwear, or if you wipe yourself with tissue and see a little blood on the paper. There should not be enough blood to fill a panty liner.

Can You Get Pregnant Right After Your Period

Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period? The Answer May Surprise You!

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.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Know If You Missed Your Period

Have Sex Just Before Ovulation

The best chance you have of becoming pregnant is to have sex 1 or 2 days before ovulation takes place.

According to studies published in the journal Human Reproduction, most women become pregnant in the 6 days before ovulation occurs. However, in many cases, your chances of conceiving significantly increase by having sex 1 to 2 days before ovulation.12

For example, doctors from the National Health Service report that if you have sex in the days before ovulation, sperm have the chance to reach the fallopian tube and wait for the egg.13

In order to help predict your most fertile time, its important to keep an accurate menstrual calendar to look for patterns. Your fertile window will be at its highest in the 3 days leading up to and including ovulation.

What Should I Do If My Child Is Experiencing Unusual Bleeding

If your child does need additional care due to abnormal periods, the University of Chicago Medicine Comer Childrens Hospital has resources that can help. We have providers who specialize in pediatric gynecologic care, to help adolescents feel comfortable and safe in their changing bodies, as well as a clinic that specializes in treating blood disorders in young adults. The Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinic is a multi-disciplinary clinic where patients can see a pediatric gynecologist and a pediatric hematologist at the same convenient appointment.

Menorrhagia is the clinical term for heavy periods. Very heavy periods can sometimes be a symptom of an inherited bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand disease. Very heavy periods also can also contribute to anemia and other health issues. Our providers deliver specialized care to determine if there are underlying causes of a very heavy period and work with families to determine what treatment options will work best for them.

Also Check: Signs Of Daughters First Period Coming

Recommended Reading: Can You Have A Light Period And Be Pregnant

Irregular Periods Increase The Risk Of A Surprise Pregnancy

For women with regular cycles, it’s easy to track when you will ovulate to prevent pregnancy. However, many people experience irregular cycles, which makes it more difficult to know when you’ll start your period and when you’ll ovulate.

“There are women who say, ‘I get my period regularly every 35 days,’ but it is much more common to hear women say, ‘I never know when I’m going to get my period,'” says Joshua Copel, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive services at the Yale School of Medicine.

The Fertile Window Includes:

Can You Get Pregnant On Your Period? | Not Dumb Questions | Women’s Health
  • the 5 days before ovulation
  • the day of ovulation

Simple. Just calculate your window and enjoy worry-free romps for the rest of the month, right?

Not so fast. Like sex, your bodys schedule can be beautifully messy. Its more art class than math class.

Even during your period, when pregnancy-friendly progesterone is low, your body is prepping for its next fertile window. Sometimes, your ovaries get eager and release an egg early. Or sometimes you skip an ovulation day.

Recommended Reading: 3 Periods In One Month Causes

The Early Middle Ages

Average Age: 14

Theres not a ton of historical records about the age of first menstruation before the Middle Ages. In his book, Womens Bodies, Edward Shorter estimates that most ancient Roman women got their periods between the ages of 13 or 14.

Similarly, historians believe that girls in the Middle Age got their first periods around the same age, according to The Age of Menarche in Medieval Europe, published in the September 1973 issue of Human Biology. Records from the era report girls getting their period at ages as young as 12 and as old as 15, but the articles writers quote research suggesting that 14 remained the average age of first menstruation until the Renaissance.

What Are The Chances A Woman Can Get Pregnant On Her Period

A womans likelihood of getting pregnant can rise and fall throughout her ovulation cycle. While the average females monthly cycle may be 29 days, others may have a cycle that varies from 20 to 40 days, or longer.

The likelihood that a woman will get pregnant one to two days after she starts bleeding is nearly zero. But the likelihood starts to increase again with each successive day, even though shes still bleeding.

At roughly day 13 after starting her period, her chance of pregnancy is an estimated 9 percent.

While these numbers may be low, it doesnt mean a woman can ever be 100 percent assured that she wont get pregnant on her period.

Also Check: Medicine To Stop Bleeding During Periods

Why Can A Woman Become Pregnant While On Her Period

Bleeding is typically associated with being on ones period. However, a woman may also bleed during ovulation the most fertile time in her cycle. Having intercourse without birth control is most likely to lead to conception during this stage.

Similarly, sperm can survive inside a womans body for up to 72 hours. Can you get pregnant on your period? Yes, because conception may occur days after intercourse.

Additionally, the chances of conception increase towards the conclusion of a womans period. Women with shorter cycles may have a higher chance of conception than those who menstruate for longer. Can you get pregnant on the last day of your period? It is much more likely.

How Do You Know If Your Period Is Coming Or Your Pregnant

Can You Get Pregnant While On Your Period?

When you have your period, the flow is noticeably heavier and can last up to a week. Pregnancy: For some, one of the first signs of pregnancy is light vaginal bleeding or spotting that’s usually pink or dark brown. This typically happens 10 to 14 days after conception and is usually not enough to fill pads or tampons.

Recommended Reading: How To Make Your Stomach Stop Hurting From Period

Can I Get Pregnant The Day Before My Period And Still Have A Normal Period

This is a question Flo users often ask, maybe because of the misconception that its not possible to get pregnant during a period.

You can’t get pregnant a day before your period, as ovulation will have occurred 10-16 days before the period .

Regardless of when conception happens, periods stop.

Nevertheless, some people experience spotting during ovulation and mistake it for period blood. In fact, ovulation is the most fertile day of a cycle. Having unprotected sex during ovulation spotting can result in pregnancy.

Sometimes, people may also mistakenly assume implantation bleeding is just a period. Actually, implantation bleeding is an early sign of conception.

You Had A Period Then You Had Unprotected Sex Are You Pregnant

Possibly, but probably not. If you have a relatively predictable cycle , heres how your odds of baby making shake out:

  • If you have a super short cycle , its possible though rare to get pregnant from having sex just after your flow. Sperm can live up to 5 days after sex, so they might swim around long enough to meet up with your next egg.
  • If you have irregular cycles, its possible but still rare! to get pregnant from period sex or sex just before or after your flow.
  • Youre most likely to get pregnant during your fertile window, the 6-ish days in the middle of a 21- to 35-day cycle.

Getting pregnant just before or after your period is unlikely but its not impossible.

Birth control is the only tried-and-true way to avoid getting preggo, even during your period. And if youre trying for a bun in the oven, calculating your odds throughout the month is still helpful. The more you know, right?

Heres how to tell your baby-making window from your safe-ish zone for unprotected sex.

Read Also: Does Your Skin Peel On Your Period

Can You Have Sex On Your Period

Yes. But like all issues surrounding sex, communication is critical. This means checking in with your partner. Depending on whether youre the one menstruating or not, questions might include: How do you feel during your period? Would you ever want to have sex while youre menstruating? or Im on my period right now. How do you feel about having sex while Im menstruating? For many folks who menstruate, sexual desire changes during different times of the menstrual cycle. For example, a person might experience increased desire during menstruation or ovulation it all depends on the person. Be sure to talk about desires and feelings to ensure everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

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