Can you Become Pregnant on Your Period?

A lot of misconceptions abound regarding exactly when in your monthly cycle you can actually become pregnant. For instance, can you become pregnant on your period? In order to fully answer this question, you need to consider the basics of ovulation and the changes that take place in a woman's body throughout the stages of her cycle.

What is Ovulation?

• Ovulation is the monthly process that takes place when your ovary releases an egg that travels down your fallopian tube and is available for a period of 12 to 24 hours for fertilization, according to the American Pregnancy Association. (See reference 1)

Menstruation

• Menstruation occurs when your body discards an unfertilized egg and the thickened lining of your uterus. The American Pregnancy Association states that the majority of women experience a menstrual period that lasts 3 to 7 days. (see reference 2)

Fertile Days

• According to the American Pregnancy Association, most women ovulate 11 to 21 days into their cycle, which provides a time period, usually 12 to 16 days before the beginning of your following period, during which you are more likely to become pregnant if you have intercourse. (see reference 1)

Length of Your Monthly Cycle

• Although this can vary considerably, the average cycle length for most women is 28 to 32 days. To determine the number of days in your monthly cycle, you need to count from the first day of your menstrual period until the first day of your following menstrual period.

Putting It All Together

• Depending upon the length of your menstrual period and the length of your monthly cycle, you could become pregnant on your period. For instance, if you have a menstrual period that lasts 7 days or more and you also tend to have a shorter monthly cycle, you could technically experience days of heightened fertility during your period.