It's possible to get pregnant during your period

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Extract from the article: Many women believe that menstruation is a natural barrier to pregnancy. After all, if the body is busy evacuating the uterine lining, how can an embryo take hold? Although it is possible, the chances of conceiving during your period are minimal.

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Many women believe that menstruation is a natural barrier to pregnancy. After all, if the body is busy evacuating the uterine lining, how can an embryo take hold? Although it is possible, the chances of conceiving during your period are minimal.

A woman's menstrual cycle begins on the first day of her period and lasts until the first day of her next period. On average, this cycle lasts 28 days, but it can vary from 21 to 35 days. Ovulation, the key moment when an egg is released from the ovary, generally occurs on the 14th day of the cycle, 14 days before the next period. This is when a woman is most fertile. Once released, the egg remains viable for 12 to 24 hours, while the sperm can survive for up to three days, or even five in some cases.

Why do some women become pregnant despite having sex during their periods? Dr Etiam Koffi Sowu, Obstetric Gynaecologist and Director of Bethesda Hospital in Agou Nyogbo (Kpalimé) explains: ‘For a woman with a short cycle, say 21 days, ovulation occurs earlier, around the 7th day of the cycle. If she has sexual intercourse towards the end of her period, which generally lasts between four and six days, it's quite possible that she could become pregnant. This is even the most likely situation for conceiving after intercourse during the period. What's more, if the period lasts longer than six days, ovulation may occur earlier, making conception even more likely’.

The likelihood of pregnancy during menstruation depends on several factors: the regularity and length of the menstrual cycle, and the precise timing of sexual intercourse. So although the chances of becoming pregnant during your period are low, they do exist, especially for those with shorter cycles or longer periods. The best strategy for avoiding pregnancy is to use appropriate contraception.

William O.