Technically, people can get pregnant at any time during their menstrual cycle, though it is much less likely during their period. A person is most likely to get pregnant in the middle of their menstrual cycle. This phase is called the fertile window. The chances of becoming pregnant are much lower before and after the fertile window, but it is still possible, and there are several factors to consider. In this article, we look at the chances of becoming pregnant during the period and at other times of the menstrual cycle.
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If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Many people question if having sex before, during, or right after their period is safe. People can continue to have sex during menstruation, but many of the considerations about infection and pregnancy remain the same. There are also a few other factors that people may wish to take into account when considering sex during menstruation in order to make the experience as comfortable as possible. In this article, we address some common questions related to having sex during menstruation, including the benefits and risks. There is a risk of infection when having oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or any form of skin-to-skin genital contact — even during menstruation. Unless a person uses birth control or has a same-sex partner, there is also a risk of pregnancy when having sex during menstruation. We look at the possible risks of sex during menstruation below, including sexually transmitted infections STIs and pregnancy:. There are two types of infection that may occur due to sexual activity: STIs and problems caused by changes in normal vaginal flora, such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
Understanding your menstrual cycle
Having sex intercourse during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from the ovary. The egg then moves down the fallopian tube where it can be fertilised. Pregnancy is technically only possible if you have sex during the five days before ovulation or on the day of ovulation. But the most fertile days are the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Having sex during this time gives you the best chance of getting pregnant.
Sperm can live inside your uterus for up to five days after having sex, and pregnancy can only occur if there are sperm in your uterus or fallopian tubes when you ovulate. For many women, ovulation occurs around day 14 of your cycle. For example, if you have sex toward the end of your period and you ovulate early, you can conceive. Using birth control, condoms, or another method of protection is always the safest way to prevent pregnancy. Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary. About once a month, an egg matures and is released into the fallopian tube.
