Health Tips

The debate on whether or not a woman can get pregnant during her period has been going on for decades now. Just like every woman is different, so are her hormonal balances and hence her menstrual cycle. Though there are generalities on which some ground basics of menstruation and pregnancy can be formed, but eventually it all boils down to individual physiology. So, yes, you can get pregnant during your periods.

There is a definite chance that any woman can get pregnant during her periods. Though the chances of pregnancy during periods are usually low during periods, they exist for all women. During periods, the chances of pregnancy are comparatively lower at the onset of a woman’s period and increase just after her periods. The truth is that there is no predictable time during the month when the risk of pregnancy can be said to be absent. Lets understand how and when this can happen.

Ovulation and the Menstrual Cycle

During each menstrual cycle, a woman’s ovaries release an egg, or ovum. This process is called ovulation. Generally, this takes place on an average of about 14 days before the start of a woman’s monthly period. Even for women with regular periods, this timing or duration can vary from month to month. Sometimes, there may not be any ovulation at all but the woman may still have her bleeding. After ovulation the egg moves toward the uterus through the fallopian tubes. If there is a sperm available, with all the right conditions, here is where the process of fertilization may take place. An unfertilized egg may live for about 24 hours and if does not get fertilized during this duration, it will be shed during the next menstrual period, along with the uterine lining.

Due to the increasing stress levels, it is very common for women who are ovulating to experience some vaginal bleeding that can be unfortunately mistaken for a period. Other factors that may contribute to this are malnutrition or trauma to the cervix. In some women, ovulation can actually occur before the menstrual bleeding has stopped. In others it may occur within a few days after her period has finished. In both of these cases, having sex before the period or just after it has finished, can result in pregnancy.

Besides misleading vaginal bleeding, the ability of sperm to survive inside a woman’s body is also another reason why it is possible for a woman to get pregnant during her periods. Sperm can survive for an average of two or three days, inside a woman’s body under normal conditions. If they receive ideal circumstances, however, they may remain viable for up to five days. So if sperm are deposited early, such as during a woman’s period, they can hang around a few days, waiting until conditions are right for conception. A woman is most likely to become pregnant if sexual intercourse occurs just before or just after ovulation.