Can a Girl Get Pregnant Right After Her Period Ends?

Can a girl get pregnant when she's just gotten over her period?
– Katherine*

Yes! Having unprotected sex at any time is risky and can result in pregnancy. Sometimes — the time when a girl is most likely to become pregnant — can happen within a few days of when your period ends. Also, sperm can fertilize an egg for 72 hours (3 days) after ejaculation.

Having unprotected sex at any time is very risky — a girl can even get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Along with the chance of becoming pregnant, there is also the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia, genital warts, or HIV.

The only surefire way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence (not having sex). If you do have sex, use a condom every time to protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. And talk to your doctor about additional forms of contraception.

*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.