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There is a widespread problem that exists among many couples who are sexually active. It is that they are relying on what is considered the safe period of the month to engage in sexual activities without taking any precaution.
The odds of a woman getting pregnant after having sex right after her period is low, but it could actually happen to anyone. If you need to know more, then read on as this article seeks to answer the question of can you get pregnant just after your period ends?
It is possible for you to conceive right after your period ends as this time you are just starting to enter your fertility window. However, your chances will be very low in reality.
If you are having sex without using any birth control method, you can get pregnant or conceive at any time in your menstrual cycle, including during or immediately after your period. It will all come down to how long your menstruation lasts and the actual length of your menstrual cycle.
Understanding the Menstrual Cycle
In case you are not aware of this, your menstrual cycle will start on day one of your period and last up to day one of your next period.
Your most fertile time will be at ovulation – happens when your ovaries release an egg – which normally takes place twelve to fourteen days before the start of the next period.
This period is called the fertile window, and it’s the time when you’re more likely to conceive.
For a typical cycle that takes place every twenty-eight to thirty days, this fertility window is normally between day eleven and twenty-one.
It is important to point out that the sperm can survive inside the body sometimes for as much as seven days after a woman has sex.
You will be approaching your fertile window if your period last for five to seven days and you engage in sex immediately after.
This means you could get pregnant very soon after your period ends if you ovulate early, particularly if your menstrual cycle is naturally short.
If you have a short cycle and long periods, it is still possible for your ovaries to release an egg very quickly after your period ends. This egg can get fertilized as normal, and pregnancy occurs if and when that happens.
Of course, you should also remember that your chances of getting pregnant immediately after your period will increase each day after the bleeding stops.
If you have been trying to conceive desperately, then this will be a good time to have sex to increase your chances.
More Information about Your Chances of Conceiving
In addition to the above, you can get pregnant or conceive if your period has never come before, throughout your first period, or immediately after having sex for the first time.
It is also quite possible for you to become pregnant throughout the alleged safe period of the month even when your partner withdraws his penis before ejaculating.
Semen is normally released during sex, including the precum one, so any form of sex without protection could result in pregnancy.
There are also rare instances when women end up pregnant even though they did not have penetrative sex with their partner.
The sperm can be very resilient, lasting up to several days following ejaculation. This means that pregnancy is a definite possibility if either one of you has sperm on your hands or any other part of your body, and it comes in contact with your vagina.
If you are looking to conceive or get pregnant, one of the best ways to increase your chances is to invest in an ovulation testing kit.
There are many different types available today, ranging from the simple strips which test the urine to the digital computers which monitor things monthly.
It is often more difficult for women to detect ovulation without these tests.
Another, less accurate method of detecting ovulation is to measure basal body temperature (BBT). It is a widely used way to detect ovulation due to ease of the test.
In this method, women need to measure body temperature each day in the morning before starting any kind of activity. Ovulation is marked by 0.5-1.0° F rise in the BBT.
It is worth knowing that BBT test is less accurate than ovulation testing kits, and may fail to detect ovulation in some cases.
Bottom Line
There is really no safe period of the month to engage in sexual activities without using contraception and avoid getting pregnant. You could even conceive if you have sex during your period.
However, you will be more fertile at certain times during your menstrual cycle, and this is the period when you are more likely to conceive. At times, ovulation can occur within a few days after your period ends.
In addition, sperm could fertilize an egg three days or seventy-two hours after ejaculation. Aside from the chances of becoming pregnant, you also have the risk of catching a sexually transmitted disease, such as genital warts, chlamydia, or HIV/AIDs, so you should use contraception at all times when having sex.
If not, abstinence is the only sure way to avoid unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. You can talk to your medical doctor about the different contraception methods available to you.
Hello ,
I had my period from Oct 4- Oct 8. I’ve a pretty irregular cycle but averaging 24 days in length. I had unprotected sex on Oct 22nd. My period has still not shown up. Could I be pregnant?
Hello Tina, yes you might be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test.
I had unprotected sex last oct 7, my last mens was started september 29th and last for 5 days. I have been regular for the past 6 months and have 30 day cycle. Im delayed for 4 days now. Am I pregnant?
Hello Carol, to confirm this, take a pregnancy test 7 days after your missed period.
Fanc,i had sex the 4th day of my period and i use contraceptive,after a week i receive dark discharge and light blood,will i b pregnant?
Hello Fancy, once you properly used a contraceptive method then you should not be pregnant.
Hi my last period was last September 29 until October 2 then I had my period this October 25-29 now me and my partner had unprotected sex October 30 after my period, will it be possible that I might get pregnant?
Hi there Jennygail, there’s a less likelihood of you getting pregnant around said time.
I finished my period Friday 20 of October and had sex October 25 and used Postinor and bisham pills the next morning. Then on the 26 I had sex again without taking pills is it possible to get pregnant????
Hello Toby, yes there’s a possibility of pregnancy.
Hello~ I had sex with my bf after my period ends on aug 30 and we did it again from aug 31 to sep 1. I had a little bleeding on 23rd of sep it lasted for 2 or more days. And I am now 4 days delayed is it possible that I am pregnant? I’m regular, I also used period tracker and it’s always on time. But now I am delayed! Please help. Thank you.
Hello Claire, if you are still delayed until up to 7 days then please take a pregnancy test.
Hi,I got periods on October 11 and I had sex with my husband on 18th October.so what u think is there any chance to get pregnant?
Hello Lucy, use the link below to calculate your most fertile days and have sex on those days.
Hi I just finished my period oct 21 (4 days duration) and started a new pack of pill the same day (usual starting day of new pack). And then I had unprotected sex after 2 days, is there any chance I can get pregnant?
Hi there Sasha, no you seem to be safe here.
I had sex the day after my period and I’m trying to have a baby. My next period is until the 16th of next month. How long can I wait to check at an earlier date to take a pregnancy test??
Hello Wanting a baby, immediately after a period is not the best time to try for a baby, use the below link to calculate your most fertile days and have sex on these days: https://womanjunction.com/
Hi. My husband and I had sex three times within 3-4 days after my period ended. We calculated that I should have (in theory) ovulated October 12, but about 2 days before that I started what seemed like ovulation spotting and turned into a super super light, weird, pain free period that is still happening a little today, October 23. I feel like I’m having some slight cramping now. This is all extremely out of the norm for me. Is it possible I’m pregnant? Any other ideas if not? I’m supposed to get my regular period on the 28 or 29. Thank you
Hi there Gwinevere, the only way to know this is by taking a pregnancy test. Do so 7 days after missed period.
My period ended between the night of Friday 20 and the morning of Saturday 21. I attempted to have unprotected sex on Saturday afternoon. He was unable to fully penetrate due to painful reasons and did not pop my cherry. I assume that there was pre-ejaculation (although I’m uncertain). This happened for less than 10 minutes of attempting. I’m not ready to conceive and im not on any birth control. I truly do not want to until my next period to find out due to the fact that I do not want to conceive. Should I get access to a morning after pill or such? How low are my chances of pregnancy?
Hi there Jess, it might be too late now, protect yourself prior or during sex to prevent pregnancy.
Hi there I went off my period on September 27 or 28. But I had a period on October 16th and went back off on October 20. Can you tell me what’s up with that.
Hello Janet, please see link below as this might be what’s happening to you: https://womanjunction.com/irregular-menstrual-cycle-occurs/
My First day of last period was on 12th September 2017 .I did unprotected sex on 21st September. My next monthly cycle date does not come till 13th October 2017
Am I pregnant please guide me what to do
Hello Priyanka, please take a pregnancy test after 7 days of a missed period.
Today 20 the October I had taken Home pregnancy test but it’s coming negative
Pls guide Me what To do
My initial comment is mentioned below
My First day of last period was on 12th September 2017 .I did unprotected sex on 21st September. My next monthly cycle date does not come till 13th October 2017
Am I pregnant please guide me what to do
Hi there Priyanka, take pregnancy test 7 days after missed period to determine if you might be pregnant.
Hello there can you answer my question I can get pregnant after my period? my period start oct. 6 and end 11th day . Then we have sex on the 2nd day after my period ends. Please answer thanks.
Helo Kirby, there’s a slight chance of pregnancy.
I got pregnant the day after my period. the only time I had sex was the day after.. even though they say it takes 72 hours for the sperm to travel.. my Dr. said its unheard of.. well shes now 11.5
Hi.I got my periods on 23 rd September.after that i visited doctor and trying to conceive but today on 5th Oct again I got my periods.Its so early.I am confused what to do.
The main fertile period now will be gone because of this unexpected period today
Hi there Ashu, you just have to keep trying. All the best.