Sex Before My Period
Unfortunately, the answer is not that simple. While the chances of you getting pregnant that close to your period are extremely low, it is not completely impossible. For women who have a typical menstrual cycle, around 28 days, ovulation occurs around day 14. Women are usually most fertile the 5 days before they ovulate and the 24 hours after ovulation.
The length of your period or exact time you ovulate can shift your fertile window. There are many different reasons why your cycle could shift including: age, increased exercise, weight gain or loss, stress, dietary changes and an underlying medical condition. Having unprotected sex at any point can leave you at “risk” for an unplanned pregnancy. Sperm can live inside a women’s body for up to 5 days. An egg can live for 12 to 24 hours after leaving the ovary. If you had unprotected sex right before your period and ovulated early, you are increasing the likelihood of pregnancy.
FX recommends that all sexually active teenagers use condoms every time they have sexual intercourse. Condoms are the only form of birth control that can protect from sexually transmitted infections, and should be used in addition to another form of birth control for best protection.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood.
