When sex and period?

When we talk about avoiding pregnancy, it is important to understand your menstrual cycle well to know when a woman is most likely to get pregnant and when she is not. This can help you understand how many days after the period is it safe to avoid pregnancy.

Periods and pregnancy are highly related. So, if you are trying not to conceive, safe days to avoid pregnancy are 3-4 days before and after your periods. This time is not a fertile period for a female, and it is safe to have sex during these 3-4 days if you want to avoid pregnancy.

A woman may consider and try to avoid getting pregnant or may choose to get pregnant. In either case, it is necessary to know your menstrual cycle well and the days when you can conceive. This will help you understand how many days after periods you can get pregnant or the safe days to avoid pregnancy.

Periods and pregnancy are closely related. If the female egg is not fertilised with the help of male sperm, a woman becomes pregnant. In case the female egg remains unfertilised, it sheds in the form of menstruation, along with the uterine lining. But how many days after a period is it safe to have sex to avoid pregnancy? Read on to find out!

Whether you are trying to avoid getting pregnant or trying to conceive, you should be tracking your menstrual cycle. This means you should be monitoring the period between the first time you get your period to the next. The average woman begins to ovulate about 14 days after her menstrual cycle has ended. However, the most fertile period of the female is about 3-4 days before and after her ovulation period. Hence, it is not safe to have sex during these 3-4 days if you do not want to get pregnant and advisable to have sex during this period if you wish to do so.

No, it is not safe to have sex just after periods if you are planning to go unprotected and don't want to get pregnant. As a matter of fact, there's no safe time of the month to have unprotected sex without the risk of pregnancy. However, it's unlikely that you will get pregnant just after your period, but it still is possible. This is because sperm can survive in your vagina as long as 7 days, and you will be the most fertile during your ovulation period (usually 12-14 days before the next period starts)

Also read: Foods that abort a month-long pregnancy

Is your menstrual cycle regular? One can have either a regular or an irregular period cycle. A woman's menstrual cycle can last from 21 days to 35 days, in general. However, an ideal menstrual cycle is 28 days.

Unprotected sex at any time during the menstrual cycle does not nullify the risk of getting pregnant, whether it is during the period, just after the periods, or any time.

Many of us might be wondering, "Is it safe to have sex after periods?"

Ideally, there is no terminology as 'safe time' to have sex without using contraception in the month. There are phases during the entire menstrual cycle when you are most likely to conceive and most unlikely to conceive.

If you are trying to avoid getting pregnant, you have a minimal chance of getting pregnant if you have sex within the initial seven days after periods, when the eggs are not released from the ovaries.

Nevertheless, if you have a shorter cycle, you may ovulate around this time, thus using appropriate contraception is necessary.

If you are planning to get pregnant, you should practice sex without contraception. A woman is more likely to conceive during the fertile window stage of the menstrual cycle, known as the ovulation phase.

Ovulation is a phenomenon when ovaries release the mature egg towards the fallopian tube (a part of the female reproductive system).

If you have a regular menstrual cycle, you are more likely to get pregnant during the 10th-14th day, considering the onset of menstruation as day 1. However, the days can vary among each woman.

Sperms can survive in the woman's body for 5-7 days. Thus if you have intercourse without contraception during the fertile window of the menstruation cycle, you are more likely to get pregnant.

Also Read: Sperm & Pregnancy- When Can You Get Pregnant

Ovulation varies in each woman depending on the length of their menstrual cycle. It generally occurs from day 11 to day 21, depending on the menstrual cycle. These days are counted considering the onset of vaginal bleeding as day 1.

Women with shorter cycles tend to ovulate around day 11 after the period, while women with longer menstrual cycles tend to ovulate around day 21.

Though safe days are just a prediction based on human calculations, it helps women understand their menstrual cycle well and know safe days to have unprotected sex without the fear of being conceived.

To calculate safe days, we need to start with calculating the length of a woman’s menstrual cycle. This length is calculated from the beginning of the menstrual period to day 1 of the next menstrual period.

The first week after the period is usually safe in a menstrual cycle as eggs are not producing and ovaries are still forming the eggs. A week before the next period cycle is also considered safe as ovulation is done, and there is less chance of fertilisation.

Yes, you can get pregnant a week after your period. There lies a possibility to conceive a week after your period if you have sex without contraception. It is more likely for women with a shorter menstrual cycle since their fertile window gets activated earlier.

Take home message: Always use effective contraceptive methods while having intercourse unless you are planning pregnancy, as none of the days of the month in menstrual cycles can be claimed as 100% safe days.

Timing is very important in pregnancy testing as HCG levels in urine help determine that a woman is pregnant. As HCG levels double every 48 hours, we can conclude that a woman is pregnant even in her early days of pregnancy.

The best time to take a pregnancy test is when your period is late. But, if you wish to know sooner, you can wait for two weeks after you had sex and can take the pregnancy test, but still, a test after the period is late is the most effective one.

These are the only type of contraception that protects individuals from sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are also 80% effective against pregnancy when used correctly.

Female condoms are above 79% effective against pregnancy, and they can be used instead of male condoms while having sex, but both condoms should never be used simultaneously.

The estimated effect of a diaphragm in avoiding pregnancy is 90%. It is a barrier method of contraception that must be placed in a female vagina hours before sex, must be kept intact six hours after, and can be removed 24 hours after the sex.

Contraceptive pills are one of the most widely used methods to avoid pregnancy and are 95 per cent effective. They must be taken every day at the same time, usually.

This soft silicone cup is placed deep inside a vagina and covers the cervix by stopping the sperm from reaching the egg. It is considered to be 70-85 per cent effective.

Also read: Indian foods to avoid pregnancy

If you wish to avoid pregnancy, make sure you do not indulge in sexual intercourse without a condom at any time of the month. Moreover, avoid having sex with your partner in your most fertile days, about 3-4 days before and after ovulation.

This is a common misconception that women can’t get pregnant during their periods, but that is not always true. The chances are slim, but a woman can get pregnant, especially on the first day of her period, if she has a 20-day menstrual cycle.

This is because a sperm lives in the woman’s body for six days, and eggs are released from the ovaries 14-16 days before her first day of the period. In this way, a sperm lives in the vagina on a woman’s first day of the period. This can cause pregnancy at the beginning of the period, so it is always advised to use protection.

Yes, a woman can get pregnant if she has unprotected sex 3 days after her period. However, it is very rare for a woman to get pregnant right after the period. It is possible as sperm can live in a woman's reproductive tract for 7 days. The ovulation period can start for women with shorter menstrual cycles.

Once your menstrual cycle ends, you are gradually moving towards your fertility window or ovulation period. Moreover, sperm can live inside a female body for about 3-5 days. Hence, yes, there are chances of pregnancy if you have sex 24 hours after your period.

A woman cannot get pregnant if she is infertile. Female infertility can be caused due to several reasons:

The complete shedding of the unfertilised female egg and your uterine lining symbolises the end of your period. After your menstrual cycle ends, the female genitals begin to prepare for another menstrual cycle. Your body begins to shift towards your most fertile period, where the chances of pregnancy are high.

Summary. Period sex is safe and can have benefits like reducing menstrual cramps and headaches and might even shorten your flow. However, you still need to practice safe sex. You can still get pregnant if you have sex on your period, and the risk of giving, or getting, a sexually transmitted infection, is higher.

Keep in mind that you can still get pregnant and contract or spread sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during this time, so protection remains important. In fact, if you have an STI that can be spread through blood, you may put your partner at even greater risk of getting it if you have sex while on your period.

This article will go over the benefits of period sex, the safety considerations to keep in mind if you have sex on your period, and how to make having period sex less messy.

Having sex while you're on your period can trigger physiological changes in your body that may have several benefits.

Many women experience an increased libido on their period, possibly due to pelvic heaviness or a feeling of freedom because the chances of becoming pregnant are reduced.

The natural lubrication from menstruation can make sex more pleasurable and eliminate the need for lubrication products, too.

Period cramps happen because your uterus is contracting. The contractions help it shed its lining, which you see as the blood that comes out during your period.

Some people with a uterus find that orgasms help relieve menstrual cramps. Orgasms cause the uterine muscles to contract and then release, which eases the constant tension.

Sex also triggers feel-good endorphins, which can help take your mind off period pain and discomfort.

Muscle contractions during orgasms help clear the contents of your uterus.

In theory, you could have a shorter period if your uterine lining was shed faster during period sex. However, there's no scientific evidence to back up this claim.

Headaches are a common period symptom related to hormonal shifts. Studies have shown that sexual activity may relieve headaches.

Researchers don't know why, but they think the rush of endorphins during sex helps numb headache pain.

While it's safe to have sex while you're menstruating, you still need to practice safe sex. This means protecting yourself from pregnancy, STIs, and other risks.

Your chances of getting pregnant are different depending on where you are in your cycle. While you may not be as likely to get pregnant if you have sex on your period, it's not impossible.

Some people have shorter menstrual cycles or menstrual irregularities that affect when ovulation (the release of an egg) happens.

In addition, sperm can stay alive in the reproductive tract for up to five days. That means fertilization can occur well after you've had sex.

If you are not trying to get pregnant, make sure you are using contraception when you have sex—even if you're on your period.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a major risk of having sex, but having period sex can make them more likely. If a person with HIV or hepatitis has sex while they are menstruating, their partners are at risk because these viruses can be spread through contact with blood.

Changes in the vagina that happen during a period can actually make a person more vulnerable to infections. Having unprotected sex during your period increases the risk of other STIs, such as herpes.

While more women than men have STIs and experience more complications from them, unprotected sex in general also puts men at risk of contracting an STI.

If you have period sex, use condoms to guard against catching or spreading an STI.

If you've put a tampon in while you're on your period, don't forget to remove it before you have sex. A forgotten tampon can get pushed deeper into the vagina during sex and cause infection.

A tampon that gets lodged deep in the vaginal canal may need to be removed by a healthcare provider. If you are not able to remove the tampon yourself, seek medical care right away.

Having sex during your period can get messy. However, with a little pre-planning, you can minimize the mess and keep the focus on intimacy.

The amount of blood may not bother you and your partner enough to avoid period sex. If it does, think about when your menstrual flow is the lightest.

For example, if you know that you bleed pretty light on days three to five of your period, you may want to have sex on those days instead of on heavier days.

You may want to try using a menstrual cup—a small, flexible device that is an alternative to tampons and pads—during period sex.

The cup collects blood as it passes through the cervix, which reduces how much blood is in your vaginal canal during menstruation. Most reusable cups need to be taken out before sex, but the soft, disposable ones do not.

Your partner shouldn’t feel the cup and it won't leak. However, you may feel discomfort using this device during sex; it may cause slight pain or make the vagina feel crowded.

Ask your provider if your preferred menstrual cup is safe to use during sex. Keep in mind that the cup is not contraception; it will not protect against pregnancy or STIs.

Another option for decreasing menstrual flow is the vaginal contraceptive sponge, which traps blood in the upper part of the vagina like a menstrual cup.

The sponge may not be as effective at collecting blood as a cup, but it might be more comfortable. It also has the added benefit of preventing pregnancy.

A menstrual cup or vaginal contraceptive sponge should be removed right away after sex.

Before you have sex, put some towels down to protect your sheets, mattress, or furniture from getting any blood on them. Keep tissues nearby to wipe yourself with when you're done.

Lying on your back during sex can reduce blood flow. You might want to be careful about deep vaginal penetration because the cervix is lower and more sensitive during menstruation.

If you feel any discomfort or pain during sex, stop and tell your partner. Go slow and communicate to make sure you're both comfortable.

A running shower can help wash away any menstrual flow. You can also have a pleasurable intimate shower session by giving each other a sensual back rub with a soapy sponge.

If you're worried about you or your partner getting menstrual blood on your hands during foreplay or masturbation, just keep the towels or tissues you set out nearby to clean up.

If you or your partner are uncomfortable about touching blood, you can explore other ways to arouse each other.

Having oral sex during your period is safe. If you're worried about leakage, use a menstrual cup, contraceptive sponge, or tampon.

If you don't want to put anything in your vagina, you can also use a dental dam—a square piece of latex that can be purchased or made by cutting a condom. Dental dams also help prevent STIs.

Period sex is safe and can have benefits like reducing menstrual cramps and headaches and might even shorten your flow.

However, you still need to practice safe sex. You can still get pregnant if you have sex on your period, and the risk of giving, or getting, a sexually transmitted infection, is higher.

If you want to have sex during a period, planning ahead can help make it less messy and ensure that you and your partner are comfortable and safe.

Talk to your partner(s) about period sex. It's not for everyone. Some religious and cultural practices do not permit having sex during menstruation.

A person with certain medical conditions might not want to have sex on their period. In some cases, it's not safe to have sex with someone who is on their period because they may transmit infections through their blood.