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Check your symptomsBeing Real! Can You Get Pregnant From Period Sex?
December 7, 2020
Have you wondered – is it possible to get pregnant from period sex, or are you using period sex to avoid getting pregnant?
But how reliable is it as a birth control (or contraception method)? If it ‘worked’ for your friend or your boyfriend says so – DOES IT MEAN it will work for you?
Period sex is what we call having sex during the days of your menstrual period (or bleeding days) in your cycle.
For some, the idea of having period sex is a no-no: given they have painful period cramps or that it’s just not the best time for getting down.
Others don’t mind.
And if you take away the ‘messiness’, some research suggests that if you have painful periods, having sex during your menstrual period could ease some pain.
But apart from sexual pleasure, some people think there’s an added benefit – contraception.
They believe it is NOT possible to be ‘on a period’ and get pregnant at the same time – because you can’t ovulate (release) an egg at the same time as your period.
So if you can’t have an egg during your period, how can you get pregnant right?
It is true, but the chances of getting pregnant can be affected by OTHER factors like your own cycle and sperm survival.
Let’s look at the Menstrual Cycle.
Your menstrual cycle is the time from one period (or bleeding days) until the next period.
For women, the average length of a cycle ranges from 25 – 35 days, with most of us averaging about 28 days cycle length.
This is what happens during your cycle, which is split into two phases – follicular and luteal.
Now this is where the story can get complicated and how you could get pregnant from period sex:
Now the fact is that for most of those who do practice period sex, pregnancy is unlikely, but it IS possible, and this makes the method UNRELIABLE for birth control.
So, when someone tells you that you can avoid getting pregnant from period sex – before you go ahead, know YOUR cycle!
Rather than taking chances, the options include:
Abstain from sex till you are ready, or get regular birth control.
A reminder, too, that period sex does not protect you from STIs, so please use a condom which not only reduces your risk of unplanned pregnancy but STIs as well.
More Reading
References:
Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period?
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of healthcare conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality healthcare. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
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