Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period?

Is It Possible?

Getting pregnant during your period is unlikely—but not impossible. Pregnancy occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg during ovulation, and since ovulation usually happens after your period, the chances are low. However, if you ovulate early or have a short menstrual cycle, sperm from period sex could still fertilize an egg a few days later.

Sperm can survive in your body for up to five days, so if you have unprotected sex at the end of your period and ovulate soon after, pregnancy can happen.

How Your Menstrual Cycle Works

A typical menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days, but anywhere between 24–38 days is considered normal.

Days 1–5: You have your period—your body sheds the uterine lining.
Days 6–14: Estrogen rises, and your body prepares to release an egg.
Days 12–14: Ovulation happens—the most fertile time for pregnancy.
Days 15–28: If no fertilization occurs, hormone levels drop, and your period begins again.

Because sperm can live for several days, having sex near the end of your period could overlap with early ovulation, leading to a small—but real—chance of conception.

Your Actual Chances of Pregnancy on Your Period

While your fertility is lowest during your period, a few factors can increase your odds:

A short menstrual cycle (21 days or fewer)
Early ovulation soon after bleeding ends
Long-lasting sperm survival inside your reproductive tract

So, while day 1 or 2 of your period is generally safe, days 5–7 could be risky if ovulation happens early.

How To Prevent Pregnancy

If you don’t want to get pregnant, there are reliable ways to prevent it—both hormonal and non-hormonal.

Barrier Methods

These methods physically block sperm from reaching the egg:

Condoms (male or internal): Also protect against STIs.
Diaphragm or cervical cap: Used with spermicide to block the cervix.
Sponge: Contains spermicide and blocks sperm from entering.

Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

IUDs are small devices placed inside the uterus that offer long-term pregnancy prevention:

Hormonal IUDs: Release progestin to block fertilization for up to 8 years.
Copper IUDs: Non-hormonal and can prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years.

Hormonal Methods

These options use hormones to stop ovulation and make it harder for sperm to reach the egg:

Birth control pills (daily)
Patch (weekly)
Vaginal ring (monthly)
Implant (effective up to 3 years)
Shot (every 3 months)

Other Pregnancy Prevention Methods

If you prefer not to use hormonal or barrier contraception, consider:

Fertility awareness methods: Track your cycle, basal temperature, and cervical mucus to avoid sex on fertile days.
Withdrawal (pull-out method): Less reliable since pre-ejaculate can contain sperm.
Emergency contraception (EC): Pills or a copper IUD can prevent pregnancy if taken within 3–5 days after unprotected sex.