Can I get pregnant if I have sex during my periods?
Although the likelihood of pregnancy is low, sex during periods can result in pregnancy.
Depending on the duration of your menstrual cycle, the chances of getting pregnant if you have sex during your periods may not be as low as you think!
Sperm can live or be viable (alive and active) in a woman's reproductive system for up to 5 days following unprotected sex on an average. As a result, even if one has intercourse during their periods, there is a risk of conception depending on when one ovulates (egg is released) and how long one's period cycle is. Simply said, if you have a short cycle, your fertile window could be earlier than you anticipate. Therefore, even if you have sex during your period, you may ovulate soon after, and the sperm may stay alive in your system and come into contact with the egg!
Ovulation occurs around halfway through the menstrual cycle. For example, if your menstrual cycle is 28 days long and your periods are 7 days long, you'll most likely ovulate between the 12th and 14th day. If you have sex on the sixth day of your menstruation, your sperm may survive until the eleventh day. If you have sex on the 7th day, however, it will last until the 12th day. Assume your cycle is about 25 days long, which means you ovulate on the 11th day. You're at risk if you have unprotected sex on the 7th day of your period.
As a result, the myth that one can have unprotected sex during their period and not become pregnant is false! While pregnancy is less likely in the first few days of your period, it becomes more likely as your periods are about to end. If you don't want to get pregnant, using birth control such as condoms, birth control pills, or other methods is always a good option.