Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? Your Cycle

Can you get pregnant while on your period?

You had your period on June 4, which ended around June 11.
You had sexual intercourse with your boyfriend on June 17 and took emergency contraception.
After that, you got your period again on June 24, which ended on June 30.
You had sexual intercourse again on July 17 and took emergency contraception once more.
Since then, you have been experiencing nausea and dizziness, which you have not experienced before.
However, you got your period on July 25.

Is it possible that you are pregnant, or could it just be psychological effects or normal premenstrual symptoms? Can you still have a period during pregnancy?

Niming, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/07/26

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the irregularity of your menstrual cycle recently means that the efficacy of emergency contraception is not 100%.
Vaginal bleeding does not necessarily indicate menstruation; some individuals may mistake early pregnancy bleeding for their period.
It is not possible to determine whether or not you are pregnant based solely on subjective symptoms.
If you are uncertain whether your bleeding is a true menstrual period or if you are concerned that your symptoms may indicate pregnancy, it is advisable to consult a physician for ultrasound, urine, and blood tests to confirm whether or not you are pregnant.
Thank you! Wishing you peace and health, Dr.
Zhang.

Reply Date: 2019/07/26

More Info

The question of whether you can get pregnant during your period is a common one, and it involves understanding the menstrual cycle and the timing of ovulation. To clarify, the menstrual cycle is typically around 28 days, but it can vary from person to person. It consists of several phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

During the menstrual phase, which is when you have your period, the body sheds the lining of the uterus, and this is generally not a time when pregnancy can occur. However, sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days. Therefore, if you have a shorter cycle and ovulate soon after your period ends, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant if you have intercourse during your period. For example, if you have a 21-day cycle, ovulation might occur around day 7, which could be just a few days after your period ends.

In your case, you mentioned that your last period started on June 4 and ended around June 11. You had unprotected intercourse on June 17 and took emergency contraception afterward. If your cycle is regular and you typically ovulate around the midpoint of your cycle, it is unlikely that you would have ovulated immediately after your period. However, if your cycle is shorter or irregular, it is possible.

You also mentioned experiencing symptoms such as nausea and dizziness after your last period, which could be indicative of pregnancy or could simply be premenstrual symptoms or stress-related. It is important to note that some women experience bleeding during early pregnancy, which can sometimes be mistaken for a period. This bleeding is often lighter and shorter than a regular menstrual period and can occur around the time of implantation.

Regarding your question about the possibility of being pregnant while having a period, it is generally unlikely but not impossible. If you suspect you might be pregnant, the best course of action is to take a home pregnancy test. These tests are most accurate when taken after a missed period. If you continue to have symptoms or if the bleeding is unusual, it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, while it is generally unlikely to conceive during your period, it is not impossible, especially if you have a shorter cycle or irregular ovulation. If you have concerns about your symptoms or potential pregnancy, taking a pregnancy test and consulting with a healthcare professional would be the best steps to take.

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