• 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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Sitting Too Long? Here's What It Does to Your Organs

Sitting Too Long? Here's What It Does to Your Organs

In today’s world, many of us spend long hours sitting—whether at work, at home, or while commuting. While it may seem harmless, sitting for extended periods can have serious effects on your body. You might think you're resting, but your internal organs could be suffering in silence.

Let’s explore how sitting too long can harm your organs and what you can do to protect your health—even if your lifestyle demands long hours at a desk.

 

1. Your Heart Takes a Hit

Your heart is one of the first organs to be affected by prolonged sitting. When you sit for hours without moving, your blood flow slows down. This can lead to the buildup of fatty acids in your blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart disease.

Research shows that people who sit for more than 8 hours a day without physical activity have a similar risk of dying from heart disease as people who smoke. That’s a powerful reason to stand up and move regularly!

 

2. Lungs Get Less Room to Work

When you're sitting, especially with poor posture, your lungs don’t have enough room to fully expand. Slouching compresses the lungs, limiting oxygen intake. Less oxygen means less energy and poor circulation.

Over time, shallow breathing can cause fatigue and even worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis.

 

3. Your Brain Becomes Sluggish

The brain needs oxygen and nutrients to stay sharp. When you're inactive for long periods, blood flow to the brain decreases. That means less oxygen and fewer nutrients reach your brain cells.

As a result, you may find it harder to concentrate, remember things, or even stay awake. Long hours of sitting are often linked to brain fog and mood swings.

 

4. Liver and Pancreas Struggle

Sitting too much can affect how your body processes sugar and fat. When muscles are inactive for too long, they don’t absorb blood sugar efficiently. This forces your pancreas to produce more insulin. Over time, this may lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

The liver, responsible for filtering toxins and processing fat, can also get overloaded due to poor metabolism and fat buildup caused by inactivity.

 

5. Digestive System Slows Down

After you eat, your digestive system works hard to break down food and absorb nutrients. Sitting for long periods, especially after meals, slows down this process. It can lead to bloating, constipation, and acid reflux.

Poor digestion doesn't just cause discomfort—it also means your body may not be absorbing the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly.

 

6. Kidney Fu?nction Can Decline

Your kidneys help filter your blood and regulate fluid balance. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased risk of kidney disease. Physical activity improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which support kidney health. Without movement, toxins can build up more easily in your body.

 

7. Muscle and Bone Weakness

Though not internal organs, your muscles and bones also play a crucial role in supporting organ function. Sitting for too long causes muscle weakening, especially in your core and back. Weak muscles can’t support your spine, leading to back pain and poor posture, which can compress internal organs over time.

Also, less movement means bones aren’t getting enough stress to stay strong, which can lead to osteoporosis and joint stiffness.

 

8. Risk of Varicose Veins and Blood Clots

Sitting affects your circulatory system, too. When you’re inactive, blood pools in the legs, leading to swollen veins, or varicose veins. In severe cases, blood can clot in the deep veins of your legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can be life-threatening if the clot travels to the lungs.

 

Simple Tips to Protect Your Organs from Prolonged Sitting

It’s nearly impossible to avoid sitting altogether, especially if you work in an office or have long travel hours. But the good news is—you can take simple steps to reduce the damage:

Stand Up Every 30 Minutes

Set a timer or use a smartwatch to remind you to stand, stretch, or walk every 30 minutes.

Try a Standing Desk

If possible, switch to a standing desk or alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day.

Stretch Regularly

Do simple stretches during work breaks. Neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, and leg stretches help improve circulation.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water keeps your organs functioning well and also encourages more bathroom breaks—another reason to get up!

Take Walking Meetings

If you can, do phone calls or meetings while walking to increase your step count.

Practice Good Posture

Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor. This reduces pressure on your spine and allows organs like lungs and intestines to function properly.

Exercise Daily

Even 30 minutes of walking, yoga, or cycling daily can counteract some of the damage caused by sitting too long.

 

Final Thoughts

Sitting may seem like a restful activity, but your organs feel differently. The human body is designed to move. When we sit for too long, every major organ—heart, lungs, brain, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and even the digestive system—feels the strain. Over time, this can lead to serious health conditions.

Fortunately, the solution doesn’t require a drastic lifestyle change. Small steps like regular breaks, better posture, and light exercise can make a huge difference in protecting your internal health.

 

Conclusion: 

Take a Stand for Your Health

Sitting too long? Here's what it does to your organs: it slows your metabolism, strains your heart, weakens your muscles, and puts almost every major system at risk. But now that you know the risks, you can take action.

Get up, stretch, walk, and give your organs the movement they need. Your body will thank you—not just today, but for years to come.

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