Can You Get Pregnant on Your Period? Here’s What Dr Ravina Taught Us
HI Mobsters,
It’s Leah here, founder of The House of Hormones, delivering you your weekly dose of wellbeing knowledge advice and tips.
We recently had the brilliant Dr Ravina on The House of Hormones Podcast, and let’s just say, minds were blown. One of the most surprising takeaways? Yes, you can get pregnant while on your period. It’s rare, but not impossible, and knowing why matters if you’re trying to conceive or absolutely not trying to!
Let’s break it down.
We tend to think of the menstrual cycle as neat and predictable: you bleed, you ovulate, and you start again. But in real life? Hormones have other ideas. The average cycle is around 28 days, but many women have shorter or irregular cycles. Ovulation (when your body releases an egg) doesn’t always happen on day 14, it can vary month to month, especially during perimenopause, postpartum, or periods of stress.
Here’s the real kicker: sperm can live inside your body for up to 5 days. So, if you have sex towards the end of your period and you ovulate shortly after, those sperm could still be hanging around, waiting for an egg to fertilise.
For example: let’s say your period lasts 6 days, and you ovulate on day 10 (which is early, but not unheard of). If you have unprotected sex on day 6, you could, in theory, get pregnant.
Another reason people get caught out? What seems like a period might not be. Some women experience ovulation spotting, light bleeding that can happen when the egg is released. If you mistake this for a period and assume you’re not fertile, you might be mistiming your cycle entirely.
Understanding your own cycle, not the one printed in a textbook, is key. Whether you’re trying to conceive, avoid pregnancy, or simply get more in tune with your body, tracking your cycle is one of the best forms of self-care. Apps can help, but your body gives you clues too, changes in cervical mucus, energy levels, mood, sleep and libido can all offer insights into where you are hormonally.
Lets bust the myth! The idea that you can’t get pregnant during your period is one of those persistent myths that needs a re-think. It's not about fear-mongering, it’s about honest education, and making sure women have the information they need to make empowered choices.
Thanks again to Dr Ravina for joining us on the pod and shining a light on this often misunderstood topic.
[Listen to the full episode here]
P.S. Got a question about your cycle or hormonal health? Slide into our DMs @thehouseofhormones or check out our website for resources, blogs and upcoming events.
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