Can You Get Pregnant During Your Period? Here’s What You Should Know

If you’ve ever found yourself typing “Can I get pregnant on my period?” into Google, you’re far from alone. In fact, it’s one of the most searched questions when it comes to menstrual health, and for good reason. Period sex has long been thought of as a “safe zone” for those looking to avoid pregnancy. But how safe is it really?

As a distributor of Daysy Fertility Tracker, we speak to many women who are curious, concerned, or just trying to better understand their cycles. Whether you’re trying to avoid pregnancy naturally or you’re simply tired of hormonal methods, understanding your fertile window is key — and your period might not be the free pass you think it is.

Let’s unpack the science behind fertility, periods, and why getting pregnant during menstruation can happen, even if it’s less common.

Fertility Awareness Begins with Understanding Your Cycle

When you’re using fertility awareness to manage your fertility — especially with a smart device like Daysy — the first thing to learn is how your cycle actually works.

Contrary to popular belief, your period is not the middle of your cycle. It’s actually the beginning. Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of bleeding. Ovulation, the time when an egg is released and pregnancy is most likely, typically happens between day 14 and 16 in a typical 28-day cycle. But we aren’t machines. Some cycles are shorter, some are longer, and ovulation can slightly shift from month to month.

Here’s where things get interesting: sperm can live inside your body for up to five days. That means if you have sex toward the end of your period, (say, on day 5 or 6) and you ovulate early, there’s a chance the sperm will still be alive when your egg is released. And yes, that can result in pregnancy.

So… Is It Possible to Get Pregnant During Your Period?

The short answer is yes, although not very likely, but still absolutely possible.

In general, the first few days of your period (when bleeding is heaviest) are considered low-risk for pregnancy. But as bleeding tapers off and your body prepares for ovulation, the risk gradually increases, especially for women with short menstrual cycles (around 21–24 days) or irregular cycles, where predicting ovulation without a tracker can be nearly impossible.

So even though having sex during your period may feel safe, if you’re not tracking ovulation precisely, you might be unknowingly and dangerously close to your fertile window.

Why Fertility Tracking Matters More Than You Think

This is exactly why we love and trust the Daysy fertility tracker because it takes the guesswork out of cycle tracking. Using basal body temperature (BBT) combined with an intelligent algorithm, Daysy helps you identify the days when you're fertile and the days when you're not, based on your unique cycle patterns, not just average estimates.

If you're using Daysy consistently, you'll know exactly when you're ovulating, even if it's earlier or later than expected. This kind of awareness is what turns vague risk into clear understanding.

And yes, you keep using Daysy during your period too. Taking your daily temperature (even while menstruating) is the way the device learns your body more accurately and makes its predictions even more and more reliable over time.

The Risk Might Be Small, But It's Real

Let’s be clear: the chances of getting pregnant during the first day or two of your period are very low. Your body is actively shedding its uterine lining, and conditions aren’t ideal for conception.

But as your period ends, especially if it lasts longer or if your ovulation tends to happen early, the possibility of fertile cervical fluid appearing sooner rises. And if sperm from earlier sex is still present, pregnancy is very much within the realm of possibility.

This is even more relevant for those who don’t have regular cycles or who are coming off hormonal birth control. In these cases, your ovulation timing may shift unpredictably, making cycle tracking (with tools like Daysy) not just helpful, but essential.

What If You’re Trying to Avoid Pregnancy?

If you're not currently trying to conceive, it’s important not to treat your period as an automatic “safe zone”. While the odds of conception are lower, they're not zero. If you’re relying on fertility awareness as your birth control method, you need accurate data and consistent tracking.

That’s where Daysy shines. With over 5 million cycles analysed and a proven 99.4% accuracy, it's one of the most trusted natural fertility monitors on the market. No hormones, no side effects, just real insight into your body’s rhythm.

And if you're trying to conceive? That same data helps you pinpoint your most fertile days with confidence, even if you have irregular or non-average cycles.

The Bottom Line

So, can you get pregnant during your period? Yes — it’s not likely, but it can happen. That risk increases significantly the later in your period you are, and especially if your ovulation tends to happen earlier than average.

If you’re trying to avoid pregnancy naturally, tracking your cycle with Daysy gives you the clarity and control you need, without relying on complicated charting, guesswork or outdated “calendar method” assumptions.

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or fully committed to a natural health-conscious lifestyle, understanding your body is the first step. And we believe every woman deserves the tools to do just that: easily, naturally, and confidently.

Ready to Know Your Body Better?

Discover how Daysy Fertility Tracker can support your goals — whether you're avoiding pregnancy or planning for a baby.

👉 Learn more about how Daysy works
👉 Shop the Daysy fertility tracker now
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