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

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

  • WhatsApp share link icon
  • copy & share link icon
  • twitter share link icon
  • facebook share link icon

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.

Read Blog
Lab Tests You Can Book from Home in India

Top 5 Lab Tests You Can Book from Home in India

Healthcare in India has become more convenient with the rise of at-home lab test bookings. Instead of traveling to diagnostic centers, many people now prefer the comfort of home sample collection. This shift not only saves time but also minimizes exposure to infections in crowded waiting rooms.

Whether it's for preventive health checkups or managing chronic conditions, booking lab tests from home is now easier than ever. Here are the top 5 lab tests you can book from home in India and why they matter.

 

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The Complete Blood Count test is one of the most commonly recommended blood tests by doctors. It gives a snapshot of your overall health by measuring various components of your blood, including:

  • Red blood cells (RBCs)
     

  • White blood cells (WBCs)
     

  • Hemoglobin
     

  • Hematocrit
     

  • Platelets
     

This test helps detect conditions such as anemia, infections, inflammation, and even certain cancers. If you're feeling weak, experiencing frequent infections, or suffering from fatigue, a CBC test can offer early clues. Most labs, including Thyrocare, offer CBC as part of their health packages for easy home collection.

 

2. Lipid Profile Test

A lipid profile checks the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. These fats are crucial indicators of heart health. The test measures:

  • Total cholesterol
     

  • LDL (bad cholesterol)
     

  • HDL (good cholesterol)
     

  • Triglycerides
     

  • VLDL and other ratios
     

High cholesterol often comes without any symptoms but increases your risk for heart attacks, strokes, and blockages. A lipid profile test from home helps monitor these levels and assess cardiovascular risk early on. Regular screening is essential if you have a family history of heart disease, lead a sedentary lifestyle, or consume high-fat foods.

 

3. Thyroid Function Test (T3, T4, TSH)

Thyroid disorders are increasingly common, especially among women. An underactive or overactive thyroid can lead to fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, or irregular periods. A thyroid panel tests the following hormones:

  • T3 (Triiodothyronine)
     

  • T4 (Thyroxine)
     

  • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
     

These levels indicate how well your thyroid gland is functioning. Early diagnosis can prevent complications and help maintain energy levels and metabolic balance. Booking this test from home allows you to manage symptoms discreetly and conveniently.

 

4. Liver Function Test (LFT)

The liver is responsible for filtering toxins, metabolizing drugs, and aiding digestion. When it’s not working properly, it may not show immediate symptoms. That’s where an LFT comes in. It checks for:

  • ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
     

  • Bilirubin
     

  • Albumin and total protein
     

  • Alkaline phosphatase
     

An abnormal result could indicate liver damage, infections like hepatitis, or alcohol-related issues. Whether you’re on medication or consume alcohol frequently, a liver function test is essential. Home sample collection makes it easier to get tested without delay or discomfort.

 

5. HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Test

For people with diabetes or those at risk of developing it, the HbA1c test is crucial. It measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months, unlike a regular blood sugar test that only gives current readings.

An HbA1c level:

  • Below 5.7% is considered normal
     

  • Between 5.7% and 6.4% suggests prediabetes
     

  • 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes
     

This test is important for long-term diabetes management. With at-home testing, patients can monitor their glucose trends more regularly and adjust their treatment plans as needed.

 

Why Home Testing is the Future of Diagnostics

Booking lab tests from home is not just about convenience. It’s about proactive health management. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us the importance of staying indoors when unwell, and home diagnostics made that possible. These services offer:

  • Certified technicians for safe sample collection
     

  • Digital reports with fast turnaround times
     

  • Affordable health checkup packages
     

  • Transparent process with easy tracking
     

Thyrocare and platforms like SecondMedic have played a key role in expanding access to reliable at-home testing across India.

 

Who Should Book Lab Tests from Home?

  • Busy professionals who don’t have time for clinic visits
     

  • Elderly patients who need regular testing
     

  • Women managing pregnancy or hormonal imbalances
     

  • Diabetics and heart patients needing frequent checkups
     

  • Anyone prioritizing hygiene, safety, and convenience
     

These services are also ideal for rural and semi-urban areas where healthcare infrastructure may be limited.

 

Final Thoughts

Modern healthcare is all about accessibility and early detection. Whether you're checking cholesterol levels, managing thyroid conditions, or tracking diabetes, at-home lab tests make it easier than ever. All it takes is a few clicks and a short appointment with a trained sample collector.

You don’t need to delay health monitoring anymore. With trusted providers like Thyrocare offering safe and certified diagnostics, your health check can start at home.

If you’re wondering which tests are essential, start with these top 5 lab tests you can book from home in India and stay a step ahead in your health journey.

See all

Live Doctor consultation
Live Doctor Chat

Download Our App & Get Consultation from anywhere.

App Download
call icon for mobile number calling and whatsapp at secondmedic