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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.
I have this worry about my menses. Had sex with my guy on the last day of my safe period according to my menstrual calendar and my period was to come on the 31st January but has not come yet but funny thing is that I have been having the symptoms of menstruation as usual and have had no pregnancy symptoms since that occurred so is it possible that I am pregnant? Or I should wait again
N:B been stressed out lately due to my exam and some other issues so could it be as a result of this that I have a delay or I could be pregnant?
Hello Rachel, you might not be pregnant. The delay in your period could be as a result of the stress you are currently undergoing with your exams.
Me and My Boyfriend Had Sex The Day My Period Went off.. My period went off on Dec10 and we had Sex on Dec10 and my period suppose to come on During The beginning Of Feb Week.. I honestly don’t know what pregnancy feels like but I been throwing up, using the bathroom more, lightheaded, sleeping a lot ..could I be pregnant? Should I wait for my period to know for sure ?
Hello Lynn, I really do advise that you take a pregnancy test as you do have many of the symptoms of pregnancy.
Hi everyone, my boyfriend and I had sex on the 16 of this month i was on my period earlier that day, and I told him I was on my period, and he came in me. Turn to find out I wasn’t. Today is the 30th and I’ve had morning sickness I’ve been breaking out and I’ve been peeing after 5-10 minutes. I took pregnancy test and they are coming out negative I don’t know what to do. please help
Hello 2345, you should take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period when detection of HCG levels is more accurate. All the best.
My period started on Dec. 31st and I had unprotected intercourse the first of January but my significant other did not ejaculate in me. My period lasts for five days but still hasn’t came for the next cycle. Any chance of pregnancy or am I over-worrying?
Hi Ellie,
While I could say you should be fine, because you were still on your period while having unprotected sex, it really depends on your ovulation cycle. If you generally have a 30 day cycle, or 28 day you may be over-worrying however if you haven’t gotten your period a week after it’s due I would recommend a pregnancy test. Just because they don’t ejaculate in you, pregnancy is still possible because sperm still have a chance to be released inside during the act.
I had my period on December 15,had unprotected sex on the 1,3,12 of January and my period hasn’t came yet and today is the 28th of January,is it a possibility I can be pregnant.
Hi Carla,
Considering that you are what two weeks late now with your period if you are on a 28 day cycle, I would consider going and getting a pregnancy test, especially if you aren’t on birth control.
My period ends on the 8th day and I had unprotected sex…will I be pregnant
Hi Loise, read the following link for help on this: https://womanjunction.com/can-you-get-pregnant-while-menstruating-is-period-sex-safe/
Had unprotected sex with my boyfriend 5 days back been experiencing sore breaststroke and mood swings but I recently had my period.
Confused
Hello Avela, if you think you might be pregnant then take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
I got my period December 24th and it lasted 5/6 days, so the 29th or 30th my bf came in me. I have now missed my period and all last week I was feeling super exhausted. I was going to bed around 6pm, I now have sore boobs and horrible acid reflux, I’ve had super light cramping and that’s about it. My face hasn’t broken out either.
Hi dfghh,
Making an assumption here as you didn’t ask a question. Did you take a pregnancy test because these could be early pregnancy symptoms with the most relevant being the missed period. Take a test and see what happens.
My period ended on the 29/12 and I had unprotected sex The 4/01 and the 13/01 and on the 22 I had my period why aren’t I pregnant 😔😔 aren’t I supposed to be pregnant??? Please help me as I am new to this.
Hello Tany, use the below link to calculate your best days for pregnancy. https://womanjunction.com/
I am currently bleeding now. I already visited that link and calculated my menstrual and my most fertile period began the 4th thats one of the days i had unprotected sex. I am currently passing blood which is showing my period. Idk what to say but i thought i would be pregnant..
I had unprotected sex then my period came a day later and I came off 3 days earlier that I usually do and I’m have some pains at the bottom of my stomach could I be pregnant?
Hello Lia, the only true way to know is to take a pregnancy test 7 days after a missed period.
Hello, I had sex on the 6th of this month, which also was the third day of my period. I usually bleed anywhere from 5 to 6 days but after sex, I immediately stopped. I’ve noticed that following those days I’ve been having signs of ovulation which again is unusual that fast. What are my chances of being pregnant? I’m stressed out about this. Thank you!
Hello Candace, use the following link to do your calculations: https://womanjunction.com/
Hello everyone… please I had sex with my fiance straight five days just after my period is one week now…I use the P-test now to check if am pregnant it shows ngtive…i want to know if is to early to show positive…
Hi there Winnie, yes it might be too soon to tell. Test for pregnancy 7 days after a missed period.
Hi. Me and my boyfriend had sex after my 5 days period. The question is will I get pregnant?
My period began on the 8th of January, and I had unprotected sex on the 12th and 13th. He came inside of me. What is my chances of getting pregnant?
Hi Sasha. It depends on when you are ovulating as to if you will get pregnant or not. Your most fertile days would be from January 17th-January 22nd. So while there is a possibility, if you weren’t ovulating you won’t get pregnant.
Can one conceive during menstruation? I had during this time.
You can depending on when you ovulate. Sperm can live for 5 days in the body so if you had intercourse near the end of your period and then ovulate soon after you could become pregnant.
Hi, I visited my bf on 19th of Dec and we had sex throughout that week, that is till 22nd of dec. My period is suppose to come on 10th of this month but on 11th I had a slight cramping in my lower abdomen and I started bleeding for 3 days and it was heavy too just like menses but my period is supposed to be for 5 days, cud it be implantation bleeding? Please reply asap I’m very worried.
Hello Janet, if you had unprotected sex you might have conceived.