Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? Risks and Myths

Can I get pregnant?

Hello Doctor, my situation is as follows: My girlfriend's recent menstrual periods were from December 23 to December 26 and from January 22 to January 26.
On January 26 (the last day of her period, with bleeding), we had intercourse without a condom and did not ejaculate inside; I only inserted a few times and then immediately pulled out when I felt a slight urge to ejaculate.
When I pulled out, I did not see any discharge on the glans.
Afterward, I intentionally squeezed my penis, and a white substance came out (I am not sure what this white substance is), which I then washed off, and continued to have intercourse with a condom.
After that, I followed the normal procedure and did not ejaculate inside while using a condom.
There have been multiple instances of unprotected intercourse without ejaculation before, where I also pulled out immediately upon feeling the urge to ejaculate.
However, this time was the first time I intentionally squeezed my penis after pulling out, which led to the white discharge, so I am a bit anxious.
I would like to ask the doctor:
1.
In the worst-case scenario, if I had ejaculated inside on January 26 (while she was still menstruating and bleeding), what would be the likelihood of pregnancy?
2.
I calculated the ovulation period using online resources, considering January 22-26 as her menstrual period, January 27-30 as a safe period, January 31-February 4 as a risky period, and February 5 as the ovulation day.
Since sperm can survive for 2-3 days, I believe that the chance of pregnancy on January 26, given that there was no ejaculation inside, is extremely low (I am unsure if my judgment is correct; if not, please correct me, Doctor).
I understand that you cannot guarantee whether pregnancy will occur, but based on large data sets and clinical research, in my situation—having intercourse on the last day (or second to last day) of menstruation without ejaculation—what is the likelihood of pregnancy?
3.
Regarding the white discharge I mentioned earlier, what could it most likely be?
Thank you for your response, and I wish you a Happy New Year.

Nìngmíng, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/02/03

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, it should be the safe period, so there is no risk of pregnancy.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2022/02/03

More Info

When it comes to the question of whether you can get pregnant during your period, it's 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 before the next period starts. However, sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days, which means that if you have unprotected intercourse close to ovulation, there is a possibility of pregnancy.

In your specific case, you mentioned that your girlfriend's last menstrual period was from January 22 to January 26, and you had intercourse on January 26 while she was still menstruating. Generally, the likelihood of becoming pregnant during menstruation is low, especially if the intercourse occurs on the last day of the period. However, it is not impossible. If your girlfriend has a shorter cycle or ovulates earlier, sperm from intercourse on the last day of her period could potentially survive long enough to fertilize an egg if she ovulates shortly after her period ends.

To address your questions:
1. If you had internal ejaculation on January 26, would the chances of pregnancy be high? Since you mentioned that you did not ejaculate inside and were still in the menstrual phase, the chances of pregnancy would be low. However, if there were any pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum) present, it could contain sperm, which might increase the risk slightly. But again, the risk remains relatively low during menstruation.

2. Regarding your calculations of the ovulation period: Your understanding of the menstrual cycle and the timing of ovulation is generally correct. If your girlfriend's cycle is regular and she ovulates around day 14, then having intercourse on the last day of her period (day 5) would typically fall within a "safer" window. However, individual variations in cycle length and ovulation timing can affect this. It's always good to remember that cycle tracking can provide insights, but it is not foolproof.

3. As for the white discharge you observed after squeezing the penis: This could be pre-ejaculatory fluid, which is a natural lubricant produced by the Cowper's glands. It can sometimes contain sperm, although the concentration is usually lower than in ejaculate. It could also be a normal bodily secretion or a result of arousal. If there are concerns about unusual discharge or any signs of infection, it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider.

In conclusion, while the risk of pregnancy during menstruation is low, it is not zero. If you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, consider using emergency contraception if applicable and consult with a healthcare provider for further advice. Additionally, if you are looking to avoid pregnancy in the future, discussing reliable contraceptive methods with a healthcare professional would be beneficial.

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