Is it possible to get pregnant if you have had a period?
You are unlikely to get pregnant if you have sex during your period. Because your ovulation period is many days away, there are less chances that you will get pregnant. There are exceptions. This is for women with a typical 28- to 30-day cycle. A shorter cycle (say, every 21 to 24 day) means that you are ovulating earlier. You can have sex at the end of your period, and then have a fetus 4 to 5 days later.
Sperm can stay inside your body for as long as 5 days. Although the chances of you getting pregnant during your period is low, there are still some possibilities. If you’re trying to get pregnant, this is not the right time to have sex.
Can You Get Pregnant Right After Your Period?
Your fertility window is now open. You can become pregnant as soon as your period ends. The fertility window usually occurs between Day 11 to on a cycle that lasts 28 to 30 days. Sperm can survive for up to five days. Your fertility window is reached when your period (or bleeding time) lasts 5 to 7 days and you have sex within that time.
Is it possible to get pregnant on the last day of your period?
If you stop bleeding by Day 6 and have sex on Days 7 and 11, then it is possible that the sperm from Day 6, which was released on Day 6, will still be in your fallopian tubes waiting for you to conceive. The chances of you conceiving right after your period stops increases with each passing day. This is a great time to have sex if you’re trying to conceive. For the next 14 days, have sex every day to increase your chances of conception.
What about right before your period?
It is very unlikely that you will get pregnant before your period. It is very likely that your ovulation took place between Day 11-21 for women who have a 28-to-30-day cycle or more and are consistent. The egg is not available for conception.
The days just before your period are the most safest for having sex without expecting to get pregnant. With longer periods, the number of days before your period is more safe than with shorter ones. You should not wait more than 36 to 48 hours before you try for conception. Your chances of conceiving are lower the further away you are from ovulation. If you’re trying to conceive, this is not the right time to have sex. You can still have intimacy with your partner.
Bottom line
The ovulation cycle of a woman can change, so it is possible to become pregnant during your period. Pregnancy is more likely during the first days of your period but less likely during the latter days.
For tips on how to get pregnant, if you are trying to get pregnant but have not conceived in the last year of unprotected sex you can consult our article how to get pregnant fast?