Is it possible to get pregnant during a pregnancy periods ?

You had unsafe sex during your periods and you're wondering s'is it possible to get pregnant during your periods ? Well, having periods does not protect you from fertilization. We explain everything in this article.

Is it possible to get pregnant during your periods ?

The cycle begins on the first day of your periods and ends on the first day of your next periods. The cycle generally lasts 28 days, although this may vary from woman to woman. Ovulation takes place between days 12 and 16, and a woman is often said to ovulate on day 14. The egg remains in the fallopian tube for around 24 hours. For fertilization to take place, a sperm must meet the egg. The lifespan of a sperm is 5 days, so if you have unprotected intercourse 2/3 days before ovulation and 2/3 days after, you can get pregnant. The period between ovulation and the end of the cycle (arrival of the next periods) always lasts 15 days. In fact, it's during this period that women are most likely to become pregnant.
If fertilization does not occur, progesterone and estrogen levels drop, causing the endometrium to detach: this is when periods appear. These last an average of 5 days (again, the duration varies from person to person).

General principle: it is impossible to become pregnant during the periods

As you'll have gathered, in theory it's unlikely that you'll get pregnant during your periods. This is based on a 28-day cycle, with ovulation on day 14, but it's impossible to generalize. The length of the menstrual cycle is not an exact science. Lovulation and periods do not always occur at the same frequency in each cycle, as several factors can influence this.
This depends on several factors:
  • cycle time
  • sperm survival time
  • and finally, the duration of periods

Exceptional cases of irregular menstrual cycles

Since the menstrual cycle is not regular for all women, having unprotected sex during periods presents risks. periods is not a contraceptive.
In fact, women with short, long or irregular cycles can become pregnant during their periods. In these cases, ovulation may occur at the start of periods or a few days afterwards, and since sperm can survive up to 5 days in the genital tract, if there is unprotected intercourse before or during this period, fertilization may occur.

How can I avoid getting pregnant at periods ?

Since it's possible to become pregnant while using periods, it's important to protect yourself if you don't want to become pregnant.

Use of contraception

Contraception is essential, even during periods. Whether you opt for hormonal contraception such as the pill, implant or hormonal intra-uterine device, or for another type of contraception such as the copper coil, or simply the condom, it's important not to neglect your contraception during your periods.
If you don't want to have children, it's important to protect yourself, whatever the time of the cycle. If you have any questions about contraception, ask your doctor, midwife or gynecologist. They'll be able to advise you and show you the different alternatives available to suit your preferences.

Beware of bleeding, which is not a disease. periods

sIf you experience bleeding between your periods, it may be metrorrhagia. All the more so if you've had a risky sexual encounter. Be careful not to confuse them with your periods. If you have any doubts about your bleeding, s'they are abnormally long or abundant, consult your healthcare professional: he s'll make sure that nothing abnormal is going on.

How to recognize the signs of pregnancy?

One of the first signs of pregnancy is, of course, the absence of periods.
But other signs may also appear, such as nausea, and tender, enlarged and painful breasts.
Other possible signs include brownish or pinkish bleeding. If bleeding is profuse and very red, and accompanied by clots, consult your doctor immediately.
Other signs may also point you in the direction of pregnancy, such as :
  • frequent urination
  • headaches
  • profuse white discharge
  • digestive problems such as constipation
  • abdominal pain
  • acne 
  • water retention
  • and many other signs...

If you have any doubts, take a pregnancy test and consult your doctor, midwife or gynecologist.

 

FAQ: Getting pregnant during the periods

What are the chances of getting pregnant at periods ?

During periods, the chances of becoming pregnant are minimal, but it's important to note that there's no such thing as zero risk. There's only one way to avoid an unwanted pregnancy: protect yourself.

Why is it possible to get pregnant at periods ?

Although the menstrual cycle generally lasts 28 days, no two women are regulated in the same way. It's sometimes very difficult to know when you're ovulating, as multiple factors can influence your cycle, the moment when you ovulate, etc... Since sperm can survive up to 5 days in the genital tract, all it takes is for you to have a shorter cycle, or conversely a longer one and sexual intercourse, for you to be fertile. So, to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, it's important to protect yourself.

Is it possible to get pregnant while making love at periods ?

Even if periods does not prevent you from having sex, you can still get pregnant if you have sex during periods and don't protect yourself.