Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? Risks and Cases

Will I get pregnant? Thank you?

Last Saturday, February 2nd, I had sexual intercourse with my girlfriend while she was on her period.
We used a condom, but after the first insertion, I noticed a small hole at the tip of the condom, so we stopped.
My girlfriend started her period on January 28th, and we had intercourse while she was still menstruating.
She continued to have bleeding the next day, which only stopped today.
After withdrawing, I checked and there was no discharge on the glans.
I would like to ask the doctor what the chances of pregnancy are in this situation.
Also, has the doctor encountered cases of pregnancy occurring during menstruation? Thank you!

Liu Tongxue, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/02/04

Dr. Huang Yiwen reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, Liu.
There is no possibility of pregnancy during menstruation.
I recommend that you read more about adolescent sexual education, as it can help you understand safe sexual practices.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation, as it increases the risk of infection.

Reply Date: 2019/02/04

More Info

When it comes to the possibility of getting pregnant during menstruation, it is essential to understand the menstrual cycle and the factors that influence fertility. The menstrual cycle typically lasts about 28 days, but it can vary from person to person. Ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovary, usually occurs around the midpoint of the cycle, approximately 14 days after the first day of the last menstrual period. However, sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days, which means that if a woman has a shorter cycle or ovulates early, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant if she has unprotected intercourse during her period.

In your case, you mentioned having sexual intercourse on February 2nd, while your girlfriend was still on her period, which started on January 28th. Since menstrual bleeding can last anywhere from three to seven days, it is possible that she was still in her fertile window, especially if she has a shorter cycle. The fact that the condom had a small hole is concerning, as it could potentially allow sperm to enter the vagina, increasing the risk of pregnancy.

While the likelihood of getting pregnant during menstruation is generally lower compared to other times in the cycle, it is not impossible. There have been documented cases of women becoming pregnant from intercourse during their periods, particularly if they have irregular cycles or if ovulation occurs shortly after the bleeding stops.
Given that your girlfriend's period lasted until February 3rd, and you had intercourse on February 2nd, the risk of pregnancy is present, albeit lower than during other times in the cycle. If your girlfriend has a regular cycle and ovulates around day 14, the chances of pregnancy from intercourse during her period would be less likely. However, if her cycle is shorter or irregular, the risk increases.

To assess the risk of pregnancy, it would be advisable for your girlfriend to take a home pregnancy test if her next period is late. Pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken after a missed period, as they measure the hormone hCG, which is produced after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.

In conclusion, while the chances of getting pregnant during menstruation are lower, they are not zero. Factors such as cycle length, timing of ovulation, and the integrity of contraceptive methods (like condoms) all play a significant role in determining the risk of pregnancy. If there are concerns about potential pregnancy or if your girlfriend experiences any unusual symptoms, it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance.

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