Can You Get Pregnant While on Your Period?

Content medically reviewed by Tessa Hand, APRN, CNP

Having sex during your period can be a healthy and enjoyable way to connect with your partner, but it isn’t a reliable way to avoid pregnancy. If you have a menstrual cycle, there is a chance of getting pregnant if you have sex.

“Having sex on your period is all about personal comfort level,” said Tessa Hand, advanced practice registered nurse and certified nurse-midwife at Essentia Health. “If you are concerned about mess, you can use a menstrual disc, but keep in mind this won't prevent pregnancy. It’s unlikely to get pregnant while on your period, but not impossible.”

Menstrual Cycle Knowledge Is Power

Getting your period is just one part of your menstrual cycle. The full cycle involves a pattern of fluctuating hormones that prepare the uterus, or womb, for pregnancy from puberty through menopause. Knowing what’s happening inside your body throughout your cycle can help you take good care of your overall health and be proactive about family planning or avoiding pregnancy.

Your menstrual cycle lasts from the first day of your period until the start of your next period. During the cycle, your body sheds the old lining of the uterus, creates new uterine lining, and releases an egg from an ovary into a fallopian tube. The release of the egg is called ovulation. 

An egg takes about 12 to 24 hours to move through the fallopian tube. To get pregnant, sperm must meet up with the egg for fertilization during this time. Pregnancy occurs if a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. The cycle begins again if the egg doesn’t meet a sperm cell or the fertilized egg doesn't attach. In these cases, the cells leave the body with the old uterine lining during your period.

During the days of your period, you will have vaginal bleeding and may experience other symptoms, such as cramps. Periods generally last between three to seven days. 

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. Still, a regular cycle may be as short as 24 days or as long as 38 days. Ovulation usually happens about halfway through the menstrual cycle and also causes changes in the body. However, these changes may be subtle and easy to overlook. 

Why Pregnancy May Happen During Your Period

Pregnancy chances increase during ovulation and decrease about 24 hours after ovulation. Tracking your period can help you identify your likely fertile window, the time of the month you’re most likely to get pregnant. For example, if you have a 28-day menstrual cycle, you will likely ovulate about 14 days after the start of your period. Still, counting days isn’t an exact science.

“Ovulation can vary from person to person and even from one period to another,” Hand said. “If you’re on your period, you’re likely not ovulating. However, some people experience spotting, or light bleeding, when they ovulate and may mistakenly think they are on their period.”

Irregular periods can also make it challenging to track fertility because you may ovulate early or late during your cycle. Other reasons for irregular periods include -

• Breastfeeding
• Excessive exercise
• Health conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis
• Hormonal imbalances
• Perimenopause
• Stress
• Weight fluctuations
• You’ve only had your period for a few years 

A very short menstrual cycle may also increase the chance of an egg still being in the fallopian tube during your period. Additionally, sperm can live for up to five days. This means if you have sex during the last days of your period, sperm may still be waiting in the fallopian tube when you ovulate a few days later.

“Some women can use other cues from their body, such as basal body temperature and cervical mucus, to help them avoid unintended pregnancy,” Hand said. “However, this can be less reliable.”

Open Communication for Better Health

Don’t be shy when it comes to taking care of your health. Good communication is essential for all relationships. Whether you have concerns about your cycle, are noticing symptoms of perimenopause, or have questions about family planning, you’re not alone. Your provider can offer education, resources, and support at all phases of life.

“It's OK to ask your provider questions that make you uncomfortable,” Hand said. “I promise you won't ask us anything we haven't heard before, and we are always happy to help.”