Pregnancy and Your Period: Can You Get Pregnant When On Your Period?
The process of conceiving is not always a simple or straightforward one; in fact for many couples it can be extremely difficult to fall pregnant. However, the process of successfully getting pregnant can be helped by better understanding your menstrual cycle and when you are most fertile.
In order for conception to occur the sperm needs to meet the egg that has been released as part of the process of ovulation. The chances of this happening are greatest when you are ovulating - or having sex just before ovulation occurs. Ovulation usually occurs between day 10 and 17 of your menstrual cycle - this period is called ‘the fertility window’.
The reason that it’s possible to get pregnant when you’re not ovulating is because a woman’s egg tends to live for 12 to 24 hours after it’s released, while a man’s sperm can live for a lot longer, up to three days - some studies have suggested even longer. This may be why it’s possible for women to get pregnant at almost any time in the menstrual cycle.
There’s a common misconception that a woman is unable to get pregnant while on her period, however this isn’t actually the case. While the chances of becoming pregnant while on your period are significantly lower than at any other time of your menstrual cycle, it’s not impossible to fall pregnant while on your period.
To understand more about pregnancy and your period, take a look at the below infographic - it contains all of the information that you will need to better understand the process.
