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</ iframe > </noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><div id="header"> <div id="CClogo"><a href="https://www.cookchildrens.org"><span class="srText">Cook Children's</span></a></div> <div id="CCsearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="GET" onsubmit="return (this.q.value == '') ? false : true;" action="/CookChildrens/en/parents/"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/> <input type="hidden" name="getfields" value="description"/> <input type="search" class="search" name="q" id="q" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" placeholder="Search"/> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="cookchildrens"> <input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"> <input type="hidden" name="lang" value="english"> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"> <input type="submit" value="" id="searchButton" class="buttonImage"/> </form> </div> </div> <!-- If we have main navigation separated then it will reside here --> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="rsSearchBrowse"> <div id="rsBrowse" role="navigation"> </div> <div id="rsSearch"> <div id="rsSectionLabel">teens</div> </div> </div> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar licH"> <h1>Could I Get Pregnant if I Have Sex During My Period?</h1> </div> <div class="clearBox"> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="xp1"> </div><br clear="all" style="width: 0; height: 0; line-height: 0; font-size: 0;"><div id="khcontent_article" lang="en-us"> <div id="NavigatePage1"> <div id="whichRead_1"><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!-- The following article is brought to you by CookChildrens. --></span><div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"><script> var theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); var rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g,"_"); var whichReadPage = 1; var doesItGotFlash = ''; makeTheRSLinkEN(); var readSpeakerDownloadLink = "//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&voice=Kate&speed=100&readid=khcontent_article&url="+theRSURL+"&audiofilename=KidsHealth_"+rsAudioTitle+""; </script></div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="languagePairLink" class="rs_skip"><a href="/CookChildrens/es/teens/sex-during-period.html"><span class="pairedURLHead" lang="es">en español<img src="/images/n00/icons/langPairArrow.svg" alt=""></span><span class="pairedURLBody" lang="es">¿Puedo quedarme embarazada si mantengo relaciones sexuales mientras tengo la regla?</span></a></div> <!--googleon:all--><div class="rte-image"><!--<sly data-sly-test.buttonBorder="khb-noborder"></sly> --><p>It’s possible to get pregnant if you have sex during your <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/menstruation.html">period</a>. This is because of ovulation, the time each month when ovaries release an egg.</p><h3>What Happens With Ovulation?</h3><p>After the egg is released, it travels to the lining of the uterus. If you have sex, sperm can “meet” or fertilize the egg, which becomes a fetus. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down and bleeds. This is a period.</p><p>With ovulation, the body is getting ready for a possible pregnancy, so it’s when you're most likely to get pregnant if you have sex.</p><h3>How Can I Get Pregnant While I Have My Period?</h3><p>Ovulation often happens about 2 weeks before your period starts. But it can happen at other times, like soon after your period.</p><p>After sex, sperm can live in the <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/female-repro.html">female reproductive system</a> for up to 3 days. So, for example, if you have sex near the end of your period and ovulate in the next few days, the sperm could still fertilize the egg.</p><p>Ovulation itself can cause bleeding, which tends to be lighter than a period. This means you could have sex thinking you have your period, but you’re really ovulating.</p><h3>What Else Should I Know?</h3><p>Having unprotected sex at <em>any</em> time is risky. Along with the chance of getting pregnant, you could also get a <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/std.html">sexually transmitted disease (STD)</a>. This is an infection that can spread through vaginal, oral, or anal sex; by using fingers; or with other sexual contact. And having sex during your period can make it easier for some STDs to spread.</p><p>The only way to fully prevent STDs and pregnancy is to <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/abstinence.html">not have sex</a>.</p><p>If you do have sex, use a <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/contraception-condom.html">condom</a> each time — it’s the best way to prevent infections. The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use a second method of <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/bc-chart.html">reliable birth control</a>, like <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/contraception-birth.html">birth control pills</a>, the <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/contraception-patch.html">patch</a>, or the <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/contraception-ring.html">ring</a>. </p><p>Talk with your doctor about what type of birth control is best for you. You can also visit a health clinic like <a target="_blank" href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org">Planned Parenthood</a>.</p></div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy">Medically reviewed by: Lonna P. Gordon, MD</div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: April 2024</div> </div><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!--Thank you for listening to this KidsHealth audio cast. The information you heard, is for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, consult your doctor. This audio cast is Copyrighted by KidsHealth. All rights are reserved.--></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="relatedBoxParents" class="t1 "> <div id="navTabs"> <ul id="navTabsPKT" role="tablist" aria-labelledby="moreOnThisTopicHeader"> <li role="presentation" class="current" id="PKTtabTeens"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="teens_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListTeens" aria-selected="true" tabindex="0"><span>for Teens</span></button></li> </ul> </div> <div id="mainBar"> </div> <div id="mrLinks"> <h2 id="moreOnThisTopicHeader">MORE ON THIS TOPIC</h2> <ul id="relatedArticlesListTeens" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="teens_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/irregular-periods-qa.html">Can I Get Pregnant if My Periods Are Irregular?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/period-pregnancy.html">Can You Still Have Your Period if You're Pregnant?</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/contraception.html">Birth Control: What to Know</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/std.html">STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/talk-about-condoms.html">Talking to Your Partner About Condoms</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="boxBreaker"> </div> <div id="zeroTester"> </div> <div id="relatedButtonsHolder"> <div id="relatedButtonsBoth"> <ul> <li id="relatedPrinterButton"><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sex-during-period.html?view=ptr" rel="nofollow" onclick="printWindow(this.href); return false;" title="This link will open in a new window.">Print<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> <li id="relatedEmailFriendButton"><a rel="nofollow" href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sex-during-period.html?view=emailto" target="_blank" title="This link will open in a new window.">Send to a Friend<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div><br clear="all"></div><br clear="all"><script>window.onload=setVars('');PKTChoose(0,0,5,0);</script><div id="kh_lic_footer"> <nav aria-label="Content info"> <ul id="kh_lic_footer_links"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/editorial-policy-licensee.html">Editorial Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/policy-licensees.html">KidsHealth Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/copyright.html">Copyright</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div id="kh_lic_footer_legalease"> <p><img lang="en" alt="A TeensHealth Education Partner" src="/images/n00/logos/THeduPartner3.svg"> Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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