It is possible to get pregnant on your period if you have unprotected sex, although it is uncommon. Your chances for pregnancy can increase if your period is irregular, or if your cycle is less than 28 days long.
In a regular cycle of 28 to 30 days, the chances of getting pregnant on your period are very low. After your period has finished, ovulation will still take 5 to 7 days to start, and the sperm can only survive for a maximum of 5 days inside a woman's body. Therefore, it does not have enough time to reach the egg and achieve fertilization.
If you have had unprotected sex, the best way to confirm whether or not you are pregnant is by taking a urine pregnancy test, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. This test should be done after your period is confirmed to be late.
Why can you get pregnant with a short or irregular period?
With a short or irregular period, ovulation can occur as soon as five days after the last day of your period. Therefore there is a greater chance for sperm that was ejaculated into the vagina to survive within the vaginal canal and eventually reach the egg to fertilize it.
Therefore, women who have a short or irregular cycle should especially use a contraceptive method if they are not trying to get pregnant, even during menstruation.
What are the chances of getting pregnant before or after a period?
The chances of getting pregnant are greater after having a period, as unprotected sex that occurs close to ovulation can improve the likelihood of fertilization.
If unprotected sex occurs immediately before a period, the chances of pregnancy are very low, as ovulation is expected to have already occurred a few days prior. The egg normally does not survive for that long inside the uterus without being fertilized by a sperm.
How to prevent pregnancy
The safest way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is to use a contraceptive method. Some options include:
- Male or female condom
- Birth control pill
- IUD
- Birth control implant
- Injectable contraceptive
Sexual partners should select the method that best suits their needs and continue using it until they want to get pregnant, even during menstruation. Learn more about the different birth control options available and that pros and cons with each.