FAQs

Can you get pregnant if you have sex while you have got a period?

Answer

This is something lots of people wonder about.
It's mostly unlikely for a woman to get pregnant if she has sex during her period, but it's not a simple "no".

It depends on how long her cycle is, from the start of one period to the next, and how long her period (bleed) lasts.

A woman ovulates (releases an egg) approximately two weeks before she bleeds. Although the egg only lives 12-24 hours and there is therefore only one day when a woman is actually fertile, the sperm can survive for up to five days in fertile mucous in a woman's cervix and can fertilise the egg when it is released.

If you have sex in the few days before you ovulate, you could possibly get pregnant when the egg arrives.

If a woman has a short cycle (from the start of one period to the start of the next), she still ovulates about two weeks before she bleeds. If she also has a long period or bleed (bleeds for a lot of days), then it is possible that she may still be bleeding up until she ovulates, or just before.

The fertility awareness-based methods of contraception depend on you recognising the days you're likely to be fertile and therefore avoiding having sex on those days. A woman can only use these methods if she has a regular cycle. You need to chart your cycle for six months before depending on this method for contraception. See this Fact Sheet or give us a ring for more info:

If you are concerned for yourself or someone else about the possibility of pregnancy in this situation in the last five days, the Emergency Pill may be a good option for you to consider. See this link for more info:
http://www.fpnsw.org.au/sex-matters/factsheets/76.html

http://www.fpnsw.org.au/sex-matters/factsheets/93.html

Further reading:
Girl Stuff