Fertility During Your Period
A menstrual cycle is a cycle that begins inside a woman’s reproductive system on the first day of her period. This is not to be mistaken for the actual ‘period’, which is simply the act of bleeding.
Cycles can be regular or irregular and can last anywhere between 21 and 35 days. They are not always consistent and even for the same woman, one cycle can be very different from the next. A regular menstrual cycle only fluctuates between 21 to 35 days while an irregular menstrual cycle can be inconsistent and unpredictable, this usually lasts less than 21 days or more than 35 days. Knowing your menstrual cycle, period, and when you ovulate can help you pick the right time to have unprotected sex to get pregnant.
If you are a woman who has been going through cycles for quite some time now, you will more or less have an idea of what you might find in this article. However, if you are new to all this, perhaps you are a person trying to conceive or are wanting to learn more about contraception, here are some explanations of terms that you need to know before moving forward.
Ovulation: This is when a mature egg cell is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube where it gets a chance to be fertilized by a sperm cell. The egg will stay in the tube for about 24 hours, which is the best time to have sexual intercourse and increase the chances of pregnancy. Whilst ovulation happens as part of a cycle, some women can ovulate early from time to time.
Getting To Know Your Cycle
It’s Impossible To Get Pregnant The First Time You Have Unprotected Sex
It is a common myth that you can’t get pregnant the first time you have unprotected sex. This is simply not true. There is always a possibility that you will get pregnant if you have unprotected sex even the very first time. If you are having unprotected sex and don’t want to get pregnant, you will need to choose a method of contraception that will suit you.If you have had unprotected sex, .
When You Are Most Fertile
The 5 days before ovulation, together with the day you ovulate, are the days when you are most likely to conceive. Sperm can live up to 5 days inside your body, so if you have sex up to 5 days before your egg is released, you can get pregnant. After ovulation, though, your egg can only live for 12 to 24 hours. After this time is up, your time for getting pregnant has gone for now till the following month.
Your chances of getting pregnant are at their highest in the 3 days leading up to and including ovulation.
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The Ins And Outs Of Period Sex
So now we know it is possible to get pregnant on your period, its important you take the right precautions. When used correctly, barrier methods such as the condom are very effective at preventing pregnancy and also offer protection against STIs.
While many may think its gross or messy, having sex on your period is perfectly healthy and lots of women swear by it for a number of reasons. Due to a dip in progesterone, you may find your sex drive increases around menstruation. On top of this, orgasms can alleviate period cramps and cause the uterus to contract more, which in the end can mean shorter periods too.
Before you get into the swing of things, make sure you remove any tampons or menstrual cups before sex. These block the vaginal passage and it can be dangerous if they are misused or left too long inside the vagina.
While you might be expecting a Stephen King-style horror scene, you may actually be surprised by how little menstrual blood there is. The heaviness of your period is a very personal thing that varies from cycle to cycle, however, the average woman will only produce 6-8 teaspoons worth of blood during her entire period. That being said, you might want to have an extra towel on hand, or suggest things get steamy in the shower.
Fertile Window Vs Ovulation: Whats The Difference
Fertile window is 6 days during your menstrual cycle that you can get pregnant while ovulation is the process when your ovaries releases one or multiple eggs into the fallopian tubes. Understanding ovulation and fertile mucus is the first step to get pregnant or prevent it.
Now its your turn. Do you have problems calculating your fertility period after menstruation? or are you still confused about your ovulation symptoms?
Let us help you. You can use the Medplux fertile days calculator.
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How To Track Your Cycle
Working out your fertility window can be helped by tracking your menstrual cycle. You can simply mark your periods on a calendar or try some of the many apps available online .
The average menstrual cycle is 28-35 days. Ovulation usually occurs 14 days prior to your period starting. We recommend you track two to three cycles and work out the average length of your cycle. From this you can work out the average time you are likely to ovulate.
- If your cycle is 28 days, ovulation should occur on day 14. Therefore aim to have regular intercourse from 10 days after your period has started.
- If your period is 35 days, then ovulation should occur at 21 days and intercourse should be from 17 days after your period started.
What Is Already Known On This Topic
According to clinical guidelines, the average woman is potentially fertile between days 10 and 17 of her menstrual cycle
This assumes that ovulation occurs exactly 14 days before the onset of the next menses, and that the fertile window extends before and after ovulation however, these assumptions are based on outdated information
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Knowing When You Are Most Fertile
Couples have certain methods by which they may estimate the fertile period of woman. They may try the following.
Calculation Using An ovulation Calendar:
- The first day of a period is considered as day 1.
- Usually on day 14, the egg is released and is waiting for the sperm to fertilize it.
- The egg has a lifespan of just 12 to 24 hours whereas a sperm can last for about 72 hours in a woman.
- Sex on day 12 and day 16 is important as it is the time that the woman has the highest chances for pregnancy.
Keep A Diary Of Your Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is the time from the first day of a womans period to the day before her next period.
Womens menstrual cycles vary in length. The average is 28 days, although both longer and shorter cycles are normal. It doesnt matter how long your cycle is, for most women ovulation will usually occur 10 to 16 days before the start of your next menstrual cycle. Check out our ovulation calculator here.
Keeping a record of when your period usually starts and stops will help you find your fertility window.
If you have a regular menstrual cycle you may be able to work out when youre likely to ovulate but be wary of narrowing it down too much in case you get it wrong.
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Right After Your Period Ends
Many women look forward to having contraception-free sex right after their period ends. Its true that its unlikely youll get pregnant a day or two after menstruation stops, but given the lifespan of sperm and the challenges around predicting ovulation exactly its not at all impossible.
This is especially true if you ovulate earlier than you usually do, or if you have a naturally short menstrual cycle of around 21 days.
Can A Girl Get Pregnant Right After Her Period Ends
Can a girl get pregnant when she’s just gotten over her period? Katherine*
Yes! Having unprotected sex at any time is risky and can result in pregnancy. Sometimes the time when a girl is most likely to become pregnant can happen within a few days of when your period ends. Also, sperm can fertilize an egg for 72 hours after ejaculation.
Having unprotected sex at any time is very risky a girl can even get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Along with the chance of becoming pregnant, there is also the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease , such as chlamydia, genital warts, or HIV.
The only surefire way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence . If you do have sex, use a condom every time to protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. And talk to your doctor about additional forms of contraception.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
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Period Tracking And Logging Sex
Women who use Natural Cycles take their temperature every morning and record it in the app. The method works by identifying a rise in body temperature just before ovulation. This means Natural Cycles can tell you when you can and cant get pregnant, so you will know your own fertility whilst on your period, or any day of your cycle, for that matter. On top of this, you will also know where you are in your cycle, meaning you can plan for your period, PMS or when to do a self breast exam.
If you are looking for a hormone-free birth control option that learns your unique cycle, then Natural Cycles could be the solution youve been searching for.
When Does Ovulation Take Place
Its a common misconception that ovulation always occurs on the 14th day of your cycle. This myth is based on the assumption that it lands smack dab in the middle of an average 28-day cycle.
In reality, the average menstrual cycle ranges anywhere from 21 to 35 days in length, and ovulation is much trickier to predict. It generally happens between days 11 and 21 in a cycle.
Its a common misconception that ovulation always occurs on the 14th day of your cycle. In reality, the average menstrual cycle ranges anywhere from 21 to 35 days in length, and ovulation is much trickier to predict.
Remember, ovulation could technically occur at any point, including during your period. Therefore, the best way to definitively determine when ovulation occurs is by tracking your basal body temperature.
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How To Prevent Pregnancy
The most effective strategy for avoiding pregnancy is to refrain from sex. Sexually active people who do not wish to become pregnant should use contraceptives such as condoms or birth control.
Using two methods can offer additional protection, for example, when a person uses both hormonal birth control and condoms.
Several fertility monitoring techniques make it easier for a person to pinpoint their fertile window and avoid sex or use contraceptives during this time.
These methods are more effective if a person has regular periods. Some fertility monitoring strategies include:
- Charting basal body temperature: A persons morning body temperature usually rises shortly after ovulation.
- Using ovulation predictors: These tests typically give a positive result a day or two before ovulation, but it is possible to get a positive without ovulation.
- Looking for fertile cervical fluid:Thick cervical fluid with a texture similar to raw egg whites indicates ovulation is approaching.
- Checking cervical position and texture: Some females find that the position and texture of their cervix changes throughout their cycle.
The Importance Of Ovulation Predictors
The whole idea of determining when your most fertile days rests on the notion that you can accurately predict your ovulation. So the very first step in understanding your fertility is knowing when you ovulate.
Becoming a good ovulation predictor means relying on your own fertility awareness and the ovulation signs your body shows you each month. Fertility iPhone apps are actually really good at helping you to chart your fertility to determine when your most fertile days may be occur.
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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, it’s 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 THE DISCLAIMER
When Are You Most Fertile
You are most fertile during ovulation. While this seems like it would be an easy thing to figure out, there are many variables that come into play. Your period may be earlier or later than normal so figuring out the ovulation period would change. Fertility can only occur when an unfertilized egg is released from one of the ovaries. The time that an egg can be fertilized is only 24 hours, but the fact that sperm can remain alive inside a woman for a period up to five days expands the window in which fertility can occur.
If you are wondering “when are you least fertile” it would have to be right after ovulation.As long as you havent had sex 5 days prior to ovulation you would be in the clear.
If you want to confirm when you are least fertile, check out this link and enter in your menstrual information:
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Pregnancy And Birth Risks
Because of the changes that happen in eggs and sperm as we age, including damage to genetic material, children of older parents have a slightly higher risk of birth defects and genetic abnormalities. The risk of mental health problems and autism spectrum disorder is marginally higher in children of fathers older than 40 than in those with younger fathers.
It is estimated that the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality is approximately one in 400 for a woman aged 30 and one in 100 for a woman aged 40.
The risks of miscarriage and complications in pregnancy and childbirth are higher for older women than for younger women.
Older women also have a higher risk of having gestational diabetes, placenta previa, placental abruption, a still birth and a caesarean birth than younger women.
Its important to remember that although the risk of health problems increases with age, most babies are born healthy, whatever their parents age.