• Published on: Aug 28, 2021
  • 4 minute read
  • By: Dr Rachana Choudhary

Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? How Likely Is It?

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Can you get pregnant during your period? How likely is it?

In theory, you can get pregnant on your period. The chances of getting pregnant range between 1% to 5%, depending on when you ovulated and when your menstrual cycle starts.

Note: First talk with gynaecologist before trying anything here. They'll help figure out the best time for you to start an experiment (and take pills that will prevent pregnancy) - so any attempts are low-risk due to those precautions!

Lesson One: Doctor What's a Good Time?  If you're not ready for a child right now (or want one now), have follow-ups with the gynaecology doctor about what would be the best time for experimenting without risking it more than necessary (which is what makes following guidelines important).

If a woman is ovulating, it is possible to get pregnant. Ovulation can happen at any point during the menstrual cycle and women have an average of 14-24 eggs maturing in their ovaries at any given time. Sperm are known to remain alive inside the body for 5 days, so there's plenty of opportunity for pregnancy while on your period.

Sperm can survive outside the uterus for about 5 days after sex if deposited into fertile cervical mucus. The female reproductive tract becomes receptive to fertilization only about two days before ovulation takes place (release of an egg from one of the ovaries). But sperm may stay viable inside you or your partner's body anywhere from 3 up to five full days It is possible to become pregnant on your period. Though, it is not that common.

The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, from the day after your last one begins until the first day of the following cycle. That means you can get pregnant about two weeks out of every four—so 12 months out of every year and around 25% of a year. But for many women (10% or more), periods are irregular which makes contraceptive choices tricky when trying to track ovulation cycles and so more difficult to stay safe from pregnancy without risking an unplanned baby or STI exposure to have sex with their partner if they haven’t been using condoms during intercourse was broken hormonal contraceptive pill use so far during this new cycle Answer: This is more likely. The male orgasm happens when semen is sent into the vagina through penile ejaculation. Men usually produce millions of sperm every day and females ovulate only one egg per month, so what do you think?

I am sorry to say that some people conceive this way. But if you want to reduce your risk, it would be better for your partner to use a contraceptive like condoms or not have sex at all during your period. Other ways of getting pregnant on your period are by using in vitro fertilization or even with another man's sperm (heterosexual women can get pregnant from anal sex). The menstrual cycle is not a straight line, though it usually does start and end at the same time each month, so technically you can always get pregnant during your period. As doctors, we often discuss the risk of getting pregnant in terms of days past ovulation- with all other things being equal for two people who have sex on the day they ovulate (i.e., 12 days apart), one's chance of becoming pregnant is 12%. If it has been less than a day since ovulation, however, even if the female partner is bleeding (like right after her period), there is still sperm in her vagina that could potentially make its way up into her uterus and fallopian tubes enough to fertilize an egg from that cycle.

There are four indicators to know if you can get pregnant on your period. One, is the possible pregnancy? The possibility of getting pregnant in a cycle is high unless there was an illness or termination of pregnancy during that time. Two, Can women get their menstrual period while they’re pregnant? A woman's body does not produce enough natural hormones for her to have a monthly menstruation during her pregnancy because it is at its peak around the end of gestation (towards the 36 week mark). Three, Can you be fertile when on your periods?

When we ovulate our estrogen hormone levels rise and keep sperm alive up until halfway through our cycles when egg starts producing less estrogens.

It's possible because of ovulation that can happen mid-cycle. The odds change depending on certain factors like your cycles and whether you have any STDs. For instance, if an egg is just released from the ovary before menstruation starts then it has about 12 hours to fertilize with sperm so as long as there was recent intercourse at least 12 hours prior to a woman's first day of the period then it is definitely possible to get pregnant while on her period!

The best time for getting pregnant without birth control use is 4 days before your next period (the very next day before your yearly birthday). Birth control pills make it difficult for pregnancy so the chances are fairly low that you would become pregnant this

The chance of getting pregnant during your period is highly unlikely.  The probability that you’ll get pregnant during one menstrual cycle has been estimated to be approximately 1%. In order to conceive while menstruating, a sperm would need to make it past the fluids and reach the egg outside the uterus—that's a lot easier said than done. (e.g., about an inch away from impregnating a woman) Sperm does not actually live very long- typically less than 3 days at body temperature (we can't measure this precisely as sperm production is often unknown and fluid can make them last longer). It is possible to conceive a baby if it happens during ovulation, which typically occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle.

In other words, there's reason to believe you can get pregnant while on your period as long as your periods are regular and you're ovulating at the time of conception. If we assume that an average woman has 280 days in her menstrual cycle, then any day from Day 91 through Day 365 would be the day when she could fall pregnant - assuming she had intercourse after the fertile window opened at around 4-6 pm on Day 11. As a rule of thumb, dating apps and sexual health websites recommend waiting until seven or more days after menstruation begins before having sex again.

There are a number of factors that play a role in this, chief among them timing. In general, most women ovulate about two weeks from the last menstrual period (LMP), or cycle day 13. A woman's menstrual cycle can be as short as 21 days or as long as 35 days, though long cycles are more uncommon than shorter ones. This means a woman could be pregnant if they have sex on around day 14-17 of their cycle after LMP if ovulation happens to fall on either those days or one day previous to any one of those days. If it is not even going to happen in the next 4-5 months but you would like to get pregnant and need some STD testing done.

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How Stress Shows Up on Your Skin

How Stress Shows Up on Your Skin

Stress is often seen as an emotional or mental issue. But did you know that your skin is one of the first places where stress becomes visible?

Whether it's a sudden breakout before a big event or itchy patches during tough times, your skin can reflect your mental state more than you realize.

In this blog, let’s explore how stress shows up on your skin, what causes it, and how to manage it.

 

What Happens to Your Skin Under Stress?

When you're stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. While helpful in emergencies, chronic stress and constant high cortisol can:

  • Disrupt oil glands
     

  • Trigger inflammation
     

  • Weaken skin’s protective barrier
     

  • Suppress the immune system
     

These effects show up physically—on your face, arms, back, and even scalp.

 

Common Skin Signs of Stress

1. Breakouts and Acne

One of the most common signs.
Stress increases oil production, leading to clogged pores and inflammation—causing acne, even if you never had it before.

Tip: Use gentle cleansers and oil-free moisturizers. Don’t touch or pick your skin.

 

2. Dry and Flaky Skin

Your skin’s ability to retain moisture drops when you’re under pressure.
It may feel tight, rough, or itchy, especially in cold weather or air-conditioned rooms.

Tip: Use ceramide-rich moisturizers and drink enough water daily.

 

3. Itchy Rashes or Hives

You may develop red, itchy bumps or blotches—commonly known as stress hives.
These happen when histamine is released in response to stress.

Tip: Apply aloe vera gel or calamine lotion. Consult a dermatologist if it persists.

 

4. Premature Aging

Stress affects collagen production.
This can lead to fine lines, dull skin, dark circles, and sagging—even if you're in your 20s or 30s.

Tip: Get 7–8 hours of sleep, and use products with vitamin C and retinol.

 

5. Exacerbation of Chronic Skin Conditions

Stress doesn’t just cause new problems—it also worsens existing ones:

  • Eczema: Red, itchy patches
     

  • Psoriasis: Thick, scaly patches
     

  • Rosacea: Flushing, redness, and visible blood vessels
     

Tip: Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, and harsh skincare products during flare-ups.

 

How Lifestyle Affects Skin During Stress

Apart from hormones, your habits also change during stress:

  • You may sleep less
     

  • Eat more junk food
     

  • Forget to hydrate
     

  • Skip skincare routines
     

These lifestyle shifts amplify the skin issues caused by internal stress.

 

Natural Ways to Manage Stress-Related Skin Problems

1. Practice Mindfulness

Even 10 minutes a day of breathing, yoga, or meditation can reduce cortisol levels.

2. Stay Consistent with Skincare

  • Gentle cleanser
     

  • Hydrating serum or moisturizer
     

  • Sunscreen (even indoors)
     

Consistency helps your skin stay resilient.

3. Eat Skin-Friendly Foods

  • Omega-3s from walnuts or fish
     

  • Vitamin C from citrus fruits
     

  • Zinc from pumpkin seeds
     

These help calm inflammation and support collagen.

 4. Prioritize Sleep

Poor sleep increases cortisol and makes skin look dull and tired.

Aim for at least 7 hours per night.

 

Tests to Consider if Skin Issues Persist

If your skin problems are chronic or worsening, you may want to test:

  • Cortisol levels
     

  • Thyroid function
     

  • Vitamin D and B12
     

  • Allergy panel (IgE test)
     

You can book these tests from SecondMedic.com, which partners with top labs like Thyrocare for home collection and fast results.

 

Conclusion

Stress isn’t just a feeling—it’s a full-body experience. And your skin often becomes the first visible sign that something's off inside.

Now that you know how stress shows up on your skin, pay attention to the signs, care for your skin gently, and work on managing stress from the inside out.

Remember: Healthy skin starts with a healthy mind.

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