Pregnancy is Possible Any Time of the Month
Posted: March 18th, 2009 | Author: Editor | Filed under: Sex, pregnancy, women's health | Tags: Add new tag, menstrual bleeding, menstruation, pregnancy, Sex, women, women's health | No Comments »For many women, having sexual intercourse during menstrual bleeding carries a lower risk of conception than having sex during mid-cycle. But it is still quite possible to become pregnant during menstruation for several reasons.
Most women ovulate during mid-cycle, around days 12-16 of a 28-day cycle. But some women, especially teenagers and young adults, have irregular ovulation. The egg for the following cycle can be released from the ovary during menstrual bleeding or a few days afterward. Since sperm can survive for five days or longer in the uterus that egg can be fertilized.
Women with shorter menstrual cycles (21 days) and longer periods (7-days) may be most at risk for conceiving during her period. Women often mistake other causes of vaginal bleeding with menstrual bleeding and sexual activity results in pregnancy. In fact it’s normal for some women to ‘spot’ or bleed a little during ovulation-the most fertile time of the cycle.
The best way to prevent pregnancy is of course through abstinence and the judicious use of contraceptive devices and drugs. Birth control pills are very effective, but condoms have an added benefit. Some studies have show the risk of transmitting and contracting a sexually transmitted disease is increased during menstrual bleeding. -Sean Kenniff, MD
