When on your period, is it possible to become pregnant?

It's a frequent misconception that women who are menstruation cannot become pregnant. Even if your period days have lower pregnancy possibilities than other days, those odds are still present.

Overview

Tracking your cycle is crucial if you're trying to conceive (or avoid conceiving). It will assist you in keeping track of the fertile days, when getting pregnant is simpler.

It's a popular misconception that getting pregnant during your period is impossible. Even if your period days have lower pregnancy possibilities than other days, those odds are still present.

What you should know about fertility and having sex while on your period is provided here.

How is conception accomplished?

Conception needs.

A menstrual cycle typically lasts 28 days. Your period starts on day one. Ovulation often happens on day 14 (but it could happen on day 12, 13, or 14).

When the ovary releases an egg for fertilization, this is called ovulation. Pregnancy is possible if there is sperm in the uterus.

Depending on your cycle, ovulation can change. Some people experience their periods every 35 days or longer. Afterward, ovulation would take place around day 21. People whose cycles are shorter, at 20 days, ovulate around day 7.

How does a woman become pregnant during her period?

Vaginal bleeding can easily be confused with the start of a menstruation. You might bleed at the time of ovulation, when you're most fertile. This is readily erroneous

But those with a shorter cycle wouldn’t have the same amount of time between having their periods and ovulating.

Another consideration is that sperm can live up to 72 hours after ejaculation. Toward the end of your period, your chances of becoming pregnant will increase.

If you’re curious about your ovulation patterns, you can track the days between your periods. This includes when you start your period, and then when you start your period again.

Over several months, you can identify a pattern to determine roughly when your ovulation cycle occurs.

What are the chances someone can get pregnant on their period?

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

The likelihood of pregnancy 1 to 2 days after starting your period is nearly zero. But the likelihood increases again with each successive day, even though you may still be menstruating.

At roughly day 13 after starting your period, the chance of pregnancy is an estimated 9%.

While these numbers may be low, it means you can never be 100% assured that you won’t get pregnant on your period.

Birth control precautions

If you’re trying to get pregnant, having sex on your period won’t help you conceive unless your menstrual cycle is fewer than 28 days. But it’s always possible that you could become pregnant.

If you’re not trying to become pregnant, it’s important to use contraception every time, such as wearing a condom or taking birth control pills.

Birth control pills will not provide a barrier against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. To protect yourself from STIs, use a barrier method like a condom.

Shop for condoms.

The takeaway

Ovulation cycles can vary, so it’s statistically possible you could become pregnant while on your period. While pregnancy is less likely in the earlier days of your period, the chances increase in the later days.

If you’re trying to become pregnant and haven’t conceived after a year or more, contact your doctor. They can recommend methods of tracking your ovulation, as well as connect you with fertility experts.

Your doctor can also provide testing and treatments that will help you increase your chances of conception.