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Pregnancy is basically all about being punctual. Researchers believe that you are more likely to get pregnant when you have sex at certain times during your monthly cycle. So, what happens if you have sex before menstruation starts? Can you still get pregnant?
Can you get pregnant if you have sex before menstruation starts?
Before pregnancy can occur, the ovaries will release one mature egg. This is known as ovulation. Once released, the sperm can fertilize the egg to continue the pregnancy. Conversely, an egg will die within 12 to 24 hours if it is not fertilized by a sperm, and then shed. That's when you know your monthly guest is here.
Ovulation generally occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle. For example, if your menstrual cycle lasts 28 days (meaning that the first day of your period starts on day 1 and 29), then ovulation is most likely in the middle of your menstrual cycle, which is on day 14. This is usually a general rule of thumb for those of you who have a normal menstrual cycle. But even then, there is a high probability for your menstrual schedule to move back and forth, which shifts your ovulation time from day 8 to day 20 of your cycle.
Cycle days also do not always coincide with the number of days in a month. Some months of the year have 28 days, 29, 30, or 31. So your fertility window may come sooner or maybe a day or two late each month. Plus, you can ovulate right before your last menstrual date in the previous month. Ovulation is a one day occurrence. That means, there is no sure way to be sure exactly when you ovulate.
Thus, having sex before menstruation without a condom or other means of contraception can still lead to pregnancy. If you had sex before your period right before your usual schedule, and you don't get your period, the chances of pregnancy are worth considering.
This is because no matter it is 7 days, 5 days or even one day before menstruation, you can never be sure if ovulation has passed, until you do get menstrual bleeding indicating that fertilization of the egg has failed. In addition, sperm can live in a woman's body for up to five days after sexual intercourse to fertilize an egg.
How do I know if I am ovulating?
Some women can tell when they are ovulating. But most women experience no change at all.
In general, you will experience certain symptoms when you ovulate, which can be especially helpful if your menstrual cycles are irregular. Example:
- Cervical mucus that is very liquid, slippery, and has a light transparent color like egg white. If you touch it, the liquid feels sticky and can stretch.
- Pain in the lower abdomen, but usually nothing more than pain like a sting. Some women also experience back pain.
Ovulation is a golden period, where your fertility is at its most optimal level. So if you have a general idea of when you are likely to ovulate, you can plan sexual intercourse to start trying to get pregnant.
And if pregnancy is not part of your plans, it is always better to use contraceptives like condoms every time you have sex with a partner to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There is a chance of getting pregnant regardless of exactly when you had unprotected sex or used other birth control - especially if you had sex before your period started.
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