• 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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Best Second Opinion Doctors in India: Ensuring Accuracy, Safety and Patient Confidence

Best Second Opinion Doctors in India: Ensuring Accuracy, Safety and Patient Confidence

Modern healthcare is increasingly complex. Many conditions-diabetes, heart disease, neurological disorders, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances and cancer-require precise diagnosis and carefully chosen treatment pathways. When facing such decisions, patients often feel uncertain or overwhelmed. This is why the best second opinion doctors in India play a crucial role in improving treatment accuracy and strengthening patient confidence.

Second opinions are not about questioning a doctor’s ability-they are about ensuring that the recommended path is the most suitable, safe and evidence-backed option for the patient’s unique condition.

 

Why Patients in India Seek the Best Second Opinion Doctors

1. Rising burden of chronic and complex diseases

According to ICMR and NFHS-5, India is witnessing a significant increase in:

  • Diabetes

  • Hypertension

  • Cancer

  • Cardiac conditions

  • Kidney disease

  • Thyroid disorders

  • Neurological issues
     

These conditions often require multidisciplinary evaluation.
A second opinion verifies whether the diagnosis aligns with best medical practices.

2. Multiple possible treatment options

Most conditions today offer varied choices:

  • Medication

  • Lifestyle therapy

  • Minimally invasive procedures

  • Surgery

  • Advanced treatments such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy
     

Only a specialist can determine the most suitable option.

3. Avoiding overtreatment

Studies published in The Lancet Global Health highlight that second medical opinions reduce unnecessary surgeries and procedures significantly.

4. Ensuring diagnostic accuracy

Misinterpretation of scans, incomplete blood tests or overlooked symptoms can lead to incorrect treatment plans.

5. Peace of mind

A second opinion helps families make decisions with clarity rather than uncertainty.

 

What the Best Second Opinion Doctors Review

• Complete medical history

Chronic issues, medications, allergies and family history.

• Symptoms and duration

Patterns, triggers and progression help narrow down the diagnosis.

• Diagnostic reports

Doctors review:

  • MRI

  • X-ray

  • CT scans

  • Ultrasound

  • Blood tests

  • Biopsy reports
     

• Previous treatments

Evaluation of what is working and what may need adjustment.

• Potential risks

Doctors assess whether the current plan has avoidable risks.

• Alternative approaches

A second opinion may provide access to better, safer or more advanced options.

 

Conditions That Benefit Most from Second Opinions

Cancer

Diagnosis verification, staging accuracy and treatment planning.

Neurological issues

Migraines, epilepsy, neuropathies and spinal conditions.

Heart disease

ECG abnormalities, blockages, palpitations and chest discomfort.

Orthopaedic problems

Joint degeneration, fractures, ligament injuries and chronic back pain.

Endocrine disorders

Thyroid disease, PCOS, insulin resistance.

Gastrointestinal issues

IBS, liver concerns, gallbladder disease.

In all these conditions, a specialist’s reinterpretation can dramatically improve outcomes.

 

How SecondMedic Helps Patients Connect With the Best Second Opinion Doctors

SecondMedic simplifies this process through a structured and expert-guided approach.

Step 1: Upload your reports

Patients can share scans, lab tests, prescriptions and doctor notes.

Step 2: Specialist assignment

The platform identifies the most suitable expert for the case.

Step 3: Expert review

Doctors evaluate all clinical details thoroughly.

Step 4: AI Health Guide support

AI tools highlight patterns, risk indicators and potential discrepancies.

Step 5: Personalised recommendations

Patients receive clear explanations and structured treatment guidance.

Step 6: Follow-up support

The system continues to guide patients through monitoring and preventive care.

 

Benefits of Consulting the Best Second Opinion Doctors in India

1. Enhanced diagnostic accuracy

Early clarity prevents complications.

2. Optimised treatment

The most effective, least risky option is selected.

3. Reduced medical errors

Cross-verification prevents misinterpretation.

4. Safety and confidence

Families feel reassured and better prepared.

5. Access to top specialists

Patients from any location can consult experts digitally.

 

The Role of AI in Strengthening Second Opinions

SecondMedic’s AI Health Guide enhances precision by:

• Reviewing patterns in blood tests

• Identifying symptom clusters

• Highlighting medical inconsistencies

• Offering risk stratification

• Assisting specialists with decision support

This combination of human expertise and AI intelligence improves accuracy and efficiency.

 

Conclusion

Consulting the best second opinion doctors in India ensures that every health decision is informed, accurate and safe. With rising chronic illnesses and diverse treatment options, second opinions provide essential clarity and confidence. SecondMedic connects patients with trusted specialists, improving diagnosis quality and empowering individuals to choose the best healthcare pathway.

 

References

• ICMR - Burden of Chronic Diseases & Diagnosis Accuracy Report
• NFHS-5 - Treatment Patterns & Healthcare Access Indicators
• NITI Aayog - Specialist Availability & Digital Health Growth
• WHO - Patient Safety & Expert Review Guidelines
• Lancet Global Health - Impact of Second Opinions on Patient Outcomes
• Statista - Digital Consultation Trends India
• EY-FICCI - Medical Decision-Making & Patient Empowerment Study

See all

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