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Avatar universal

When to have sex to NOT get pregnant?

Well, basically the question. I know it sounds kindof silly.
Ok so the menstruation cycle has parts when an egg is released, travels down e.t.c and there are recommendations out there for when to have sex for more chances of GETTING pregnant.

I was wondering if the opposite is true.
Is there a part in the menstruation cycle when it is 'impossible' to get pregnant? If I just think about it now, I would think it would be right after the periods finish for that month?...
Could someone please help me? :)
Thank You:)
Best Answer
1303813 tn?1303159362
Like everyone has said. If you dont want to get pregnant, use birth control. So many people are having terminations because they don't use contraception. And think they can only get pregnant certain times of the month. You CAN get pregnant whilst on your period as well!!

OK here is the deal. You can only get pregnant when you ovulate and release an egg. As most people only ovulate once a month, and the egg only lives for 24 hours, then there is only a 24 hour time frame in which the egg is "alive" and able to be fertilised. If there is no egg, there can be no pregnancy, not matter how many times you have sex. So the egg HAS to be fertilised whilst its "alive" (only 24 hours) by a sperm to fall pregnant. Which is why having sex on the day of ovulation gives the greatest chance of having a baby.

However the sperm can live for about 3 days in the vagina before dying. Which means that if you have sex a few days before ovulation, one of his sperm may still be kicking when the egg is released. If there is an old sperm still alive in the vagina when the egg is released, it has a chance of fertilising the egg.

So because of this, there is only a 3 day window (approximately) every month in which you can fall pregnant - the few days leading up to ovulation and the day of ovulation. Anything too early or too late is useless as there is no egg to fertilise.


HOWEVER that being said, ovulation can occur ANY day of the month. Average is approximately day 10-16. However some women can ovulate around day 7, whilst another may ovulate around day 20. Its all individual, no woman is the same. Some women even ovulate whilst they have their period! A woman can ovulate ANY time in her cycle.

So the reason why people say you can fall pregnant at ANY time is because the woman may technically be ovulating ANY time. The only way to know for sure when you are ovulating is to monitor your cycle and buy an ovulation monitor from the pharmacy. Most woman have a discharge when they ovulate. This will only appear once a month, and will be about a tablespoons worth, clear, and sticky. It is very distinguishable from other vaginal disharge.

SO to sum up (sorry its so long) - there IS only one day a month in which the egg can be fertilised (the 24 hours after ovulation for which the egg is "alive"). However this day may occur anywhere in the cycle. As well as this, sperm can live for a few days in the vagina waiting for this day to occur. Hence why people say you can fall pregnant "any time".


Please use BC AND condoms.

x
9 Responses
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Avatar universal
I would say, just before your period is about to start would be the best time, as after the period would be greater chance of sperm still living when you ovulate
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey guys, thanks lots:)
Helpful - 0
1055658 tn?1300845290
try googleing natural family planning. It will explain how to watch you body temps and your cervical mucous to know when not to have sex.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
"Is there a part in the menstruation cycle when it is 'impossible' to get pregnant?"

No.  You can get pregnant ANY time during your cycle.
Helpful - 0
1303813 tn?1303159362
The only reason I said you can get pregnant on your period is because there is a Sex Education programme on TV at the moment I am makiing my sister watch because my sister's school is rubbish! And saw it on there!...

My bad!

x
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your period is NOT when the egg is released. Your period is when the unfertilized egg and old uterus lining is being shed to get your body ready for the release of a new egg. Which not every woman ovulates at the same time. For a typical 28 day cycle a woman might ovulate 14 days after the period.

Like the others have said if you don't want to get pregnant or risk it, don't have sex. If you're going to insist on having sex use b/c AND condoms but that's still not 100% effective. B/c fails. Condoms fail. Things happen. The ONLY way to ensure you don't get pregnant is to not have sex. That is the only 100% sure-fire way to not get pregnant.
Helpful - 0
187316 tn?1386356682
If you don't want to get pregnant get on birth control and don't have sex. Even if you ovulated on the 12-16th day of your cycle (if you have a 28 day cycle) sperm can still live up to five days. Also, if you are irregular or for whatever reason (stress being a nice one) ovulate late in your cycle you could get pregnant. Nothing but abstinence is ever 100% since even with birth control you can still have accidents.
Helpful - 0
1346723 tn?1300718741
ok first you need to get to know your cycle if you have a 28 day cycle an egg is released on day 14 which is mid cycle! However if you have a longer cycle you might release later so you need to know your ovulation days as these are the days you CAN  get pregnant.. The egg stays alive for about 24 hrs.. And remember sperm can live for up to 3-5 days so if you have sex 3 days before or after ovulation you can get pregnant.. All the other days the chance's are minimal.. But if you don't want to have a baby use protection because this is the only way to insure no unwanted pregnancies occur hope this helped xx      
Helpful - 0
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