If we’re being realistic, many college students are sexually active. In the name of safety, I am going to bust a safe sex myth. I have been asked many times by friends if you can get pregnant on your period. So let’s settle this once and for all.
First things first, we have to understand the menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days. Health.com broke down the menstrual cycle into stages:
- “Days 1 — 5: Menstruation commences as the lining of the uterus called the endometriumsheds and an unfertilized egg exits the uterus.
- Days 6 — 10: Estrogen promotes the regrowth of endometrial cells in the uterus in preparation to receive an egg once again.
- Days 11 — 18: Ovulation, the peak of female fertility, happens when a mature folliclereleases an egg into the fallopian tubes.
- Days 19 — 28: Hormone secretions prompt the uterine lining to continue thickening to create a nurturing environment for embryo implantation should fertilization occur.”
Within the last days of the menstrual cycle, when a woman’s period is ending, her body is preparing for another egg to be released. So if the egg is not ready yet, then how can it be fertilized? If a woman has a shorter menstrual cycle that is 24 days instead of the usual 28 then a problem can arise. If a woman has a shorter period she will ovulate within three days of the last day of her period meaning, a woman could have sex on the last day of her period and become pregnant 3-5 days later. Sperm can survive in a woman’s body 3-5 days after ejaculation and if the woman has unprotected sex on the last day of her period and she has a shorter period, the chances for her to get pregnant are higher than most.
No type of research needs to be done on this type of biological matter, because it is already proven. I just personally wanted to provide this information to the young ladies of this fine university to assist them in making better decisions. Ladies, you can get pregnant while on your period. While it is very unlikely, unprotected sex is not recommended. Despite the fact that having unprotected sex on your period can lead to pregnancy, it can furthermore lead to contracting a sexually transmitted disease. Moral of this blog: Be safe and use condoms!
Works Cited:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy-and-parenting/pregnancy/fertility/pregnant-during-period1.htm
http://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/ovulation/fertile-days/pregnant-period/
Good topic! I knew that women could become pregnant while on their period but I knew that the chances were unlikely. Sex education is the best thing a female can do to protect themselves and stay informed. The female body is a fascinating work of art.