TikTok trend suggests Ozempic interferes with birth control pills
Ozempic is just the latest trend in weight loss drugs to hit the scene.
There is a lot of misinformation and anecdotes circulating on the internet about pregnancy and fertility. One question that comes up frequently is: Can you get pregnant if you have sex during your period?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly process by which the body prepares for a possible pregnancy. The length of the menstrual cycle varies from person to person. The average cycle lasts around 28 days, although according to the National Health Service it is normal for regular cycles to be shorter or longer, ranging from 23 to 35 days. During the ovulation phase, an egg is released from the ovaries and waits to be fertilized by sperm.
To help you make informed decisions about your sexual health, here’s a quick refresher on everything you need to know about periods, pregnancy, and more.
Can you get pregnant during your period?
“It’s not very likely, but it’s still possible,” says Gina Frugoni, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine and an obstetrician/gynecologist at UC San Diego Health.
The chances of getting pregnant during your period depend on several factors, such as how regular your menstrual cycle is, “and whether the bleeding you’re having is actually your period or whether there’s another cause of upper or lower genital bleeding,” she says.
According to Frugoni, other factors include the exact timing of sexual intercourse during the period and how long the period lasts.
When are you most likely to get pregnant?
“The most likely time for pregnancy is around ovulation,” says Frugoni. This usually happens about 14 days before the next period, although this can vary from person to person.
If you want to know when you’re about to ovulate, there are over-the-counter ovulation tests available. Ovulation prediction tests can indicate whether ovulation is about to occur by detecting the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH), Frugoni explains.
Progesterone blood tests can determine whether ovulation has already occurred, Frugoni adds.
When are the chances of becoming pregnant lowest?
If someone is ovulating and has a regular menstrual cycle, the chances of pregnancy are lowest at the end of the cycle, when the time for fertilization has already passed and the uterus is preparing for the next period. However, “sometimes it’s really hard to pinpoint that time,” says Frugoni.
“Conception is also (less) likely to occur at the beginning of your period,” she notes, since it takes the body between 10 and 21 days to produce the next egg.
Can you get your full period and still be pregnant?
When bleeding occurs during pregnancy, “you may assume it’s your period, when in fact it may be something else,” says Frugoni.
“There can be many causes of bleeding in early pregnancy that people interpret as a period,” says Frugoni. “But it’s not the same process as the endometrium dying and shedding.”
According to WebMD, up to 25 percent of women experience bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, light bleeding in early pregnancy is often nothing to worry about. However, it can be a sign of a more serious condition.
More: Hormonal acne doesn’t mean you have a hormonal imbalance. Here’s what it means.
Spotting is common in the first trimester of pregnancy due to changes in the cervix. Light bleeding can also be caused by the embryo implanting in the uterus. However, according to the National Health Service, miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy are more serious reasons for bleeding in the early stages of pregnancy.
Bleeding in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy can be a serious problem. Bleeding can indicate premature labor, placenta previa, placental abruption, or miscarriage. In rare cases, bleeding can indicate uterine rupture or vasa previa, according to Healthline.
If you experience bleeding at any time during pregnancy, it is important that you speak to your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
