You’re not the only one who isn’t sure
Yes, this might sound like the sort of question you should have gleaned a solid resolution to around the Year 9 mark. But, can you say, for sure, that you know the answer to ‘can you can get pregnant on your period?’
Whilst Escorts Agency Australia sex ed taught most millennials the very basics of reproduction, (by way of grainy videos featuring a pair of mating cats, usually) and Mean Girls educated us on the importance of protection if we didn’t want to catch chlamydia…and die, information on understanding menstrual cycles, the complexities surrounding conception – and, yes, if you can get pregnant during your period – was severely lacking.
So, WH reached out to a fertility expert to fill in the gaps where the science of conception is concerned.
When are you most likely to conceive?
Conception is most likely to occur during what’s known as your fertile window – the day of and the few days before you ovulate.
The timing differs from person to person as menstrual cycles can vary in lengths but, generally speaking, in a 28-day cycle, ovulation will occur on day 14 from the first day of your period. In a 30-day cycle, it’ll be day 15 or 16.
‘Ovulation is the release of a mature egg,’ explains Ephia Yasmin, consultant gynaecologist and fertility specialist at The Harley Street Centre For Women. ‘The egg perishes in about 24 hours, therefore, fertilisation of the egg needs to happen within 24 hours. Sperm function usually persists for 48-72 hours in the uterus and fallopian tubes, and as long as there is an overlap, fertilisation can occur.’
Basically: if you’re looking to conceive (or are, indeed, looking to avoid conceiving) the days leading up to – and the day of – ovulation, when you’re at peak fertility, are, either way, ones to underline in your diary.
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That said, conception is never guaranteed – even if you do have Australia Escort Service sex during your fertile window, since there are so many factors that can affect egg fertilisation.
‘Not every egg is normal, just as there are plenty of abnormal sperm in an ejaculate, therefore, fertilisation may not occur every time.’ says Yasmin. ‘If fertilisation does occur, not every embryo will implant, as implantation is also a very complex process where every element in the process will need to be just so. Even with all systems being normal, the chances of pregnancy in a 30-year-old is about 1 in 5. This probability decreases with age, and will also decrease if there are problems with sperm count and function.’
So, can you get Escort Agency Melbourne pregnant on your period?
It’s not completely impossible, but it is unlikely that you will get pregnant from having unprotected sex during your period.
Why? Well, because after ovulation has occurred, the mature egg which is released only lives – and can be fertilised for – around 12-24 hours. Once this time has passed, you can not get pregnant until you ovulate again.
However, there are some rare exceptions that make it possible that you can get pregnant during your period. ‘If the period lasts longer and the person has Melbourne CBD escorts sex towards the end of the period when a follicle has already grown and is about to ovulate, they can get pregnant,’ says Yasmin.
There’s also a small chance that bleeding or spotting during ovulation, which some people experience, could be mistaken for a period when, in fact, it’s the peak of a fertile window, and your chances of getting pregnant are significantly higher.
What are the chances of getting pregnant when you’re on your period?
It’s very unlikely. That said, influencing factors include whether or not you use contraception (and what kind), the length of your menstrual cycle and period and when, exactly, you did the deed.
In short: if pregnancy is not something you’re keen on pursuing at this time, it’s best to track your cycle and continue using contraception – even during your least fertile periods.
How can you tell if you are ovulating?
Frustratingly, there’s no way of knowing for sure when you are ovulating. However, your body does give clues as to when ovulation might be occurring, and there are tools that you can use to gain greater clarity.
‘Ovulation kits that measure levels of luteinising hormone (LH) in urine often give a good indication of when you are likely to be ovulating,’ says Yasmin. ‘Ovulation occurs after an LH surge, so whilst a positive test can suggest ovulation, it’s worth bearing in mind that it might not be 100% accurate.’
Other signs you might be ovulating include changes in your body temperature (which dips slightly ahead of ovulation and then increases afterward) or discharge (which becomes stretchy and clear in texture as you approach ovulation), and tender breasts.
Tracking your menstrual cycle using an app, such as Clue, will help to give you an idea of when you’re most likely to ovulate.
What can you do to increase your chances of pregnancy?
‘If you’re looking to get pregnant, my best advice is to try and keep it simple,’ Yasmin says. ‘If you have a regular period, good general health, and no apparent reason to suspect problems with sperm, then regular Melbourne CBD escorts sexual intercourse 2-3 times a week will give enough opportunity to conceive. If you live separately from your partner, then trying to meet and have sex from days 11-17 is an option.’
If you haven’t conceived after a year of unprotected sex reach out to your GP, who can advise on ovulation tracking and refer you to fertility specialists, if need be.