Can you get pregnant 11 days before your period

Can You Get Pregnant Right Before Your Period? Chart, Test, More

Although it is possible to get pregnant in the days leading up to your period, it isn’t likely.

You can only get pregnant during a narrow window of five to six days a month.

When these fertile days actually occur depends on when you ovulate, or release an egg from your ovary.

Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle — about two weeks before your period — but not everyone’s cycle is regular.

Even for those with a regular cycle, it’s possible to ovulate earlier or later. This can shift the fertile window by a few days in a given month.

In other words, it’s difficult to pinpoint a time in your cycle where you can 100 percent guarantee that you will or won’t get pregnant.

Chance of becoming pregnant	It’s unlikely	It’s possible	It’s likely
14 days before			X
10 days before			X
5–7 days before		X
2 days before	X
1 day before	X
During menstruation	X
1 day after	X
2 days after	X
5–7 days after		X
10 days after			X
14 days after			X

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with the first day of menstruation as cycle day 1.

Most periods last two to seven days. Pregnancy is uncommon during this time, because your peak fertility window is still about a week or so away.

Around days 6 to 14 of your cycle, your body will start releasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

This helps develop an egg inside your ovary. Your body will also begin rebuilding the endometrial lining in your uterus.

Pregnancy is slightly more likely during this time. Sperm can live up to five days inside the body, so it could still be present when the egg matures.

Once the egg is mature, your body will release lutenizing hormone (LH), triggering the egg’s release from your ovary (ovulation).

Ovulation usually occurs around cycle day 14. Pregnancy is likely on ovulation day.

That said, ovulation doesn’t always happen like clockwork. It can occur anywhere from four days before to four days after the midpoint of your menstrual cycle.

The bottom Line
If you ovulate later in your cycle or start your period sooner than usual, you could become pregnant if you have sex in the days leading up to your period.

Lots of people don’t have 28-day cycles. Some have cycles as short as 21 days and others as long as 35 days.

In fact, in one study, only about 30 percent of participants had their fertile window fall within days 10 to 17 of their cycle. Only 10 percent had ovulation fall exactly 14 days before their next period.

Stress and diet can also impact when ovulation occurs, as well as medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea.

Menstrual cycles can also be more irregular during adolescence or perimenopause.

In many cases, ovulation still happens around the middle of your cycle.

Try this
If you’re trying to figure out when you might be ovulating, a good place to start is by determining the midpoint of your individual cycle.

But if your cycle length varies from month to month, it may be helpful to use a backup birth control method.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, you might consider formally tracking your ovulation. This can provide a more reliable view of your fertile window.

You can do this a number of ways, including:

tracking your basal body temperature
using an over-the-counter ovulation predictor kit
wearing a fertility monitor

The only time you can get pregnant is during your fertile window.

An egg only lives for about 24 hours after being released from your ovary, and sperm can only live for up to five days inside the body.

That means you can only get pregnant if you have sex:
in the four to five days leading up to ovulation
on the day of ovulation
on the day after ovulation

If you’re looking to conceive, the best time to have sex is right before ovulation. This will give sperm time to reach the fallopian tube and meet the egg there.

After that, if no sperm has fertilized the egg, it will dissolve. You won’t be able to get pregnant until your cycle restarts.

It isn’t impossible, but it’s unlikely. The timing would have to be perfect for the egg and sperm to reach each other in time.

If you have sex toward the end of your period and you ovulate early, it’s possible for the egg and sperm to both be alive at the same time and for fertilization to occur.

It’s unlikely — though slightly more likely than if you have sex during your period.

If you have sex right after your period and you ovulate early that month, it’s possible to get pregnant.

This is more likely with people who have a shorter-than-average cycle, because ovulation occurs more frequently.

Your period will only start if the egg isn’t fertilized and the cells are reabsorbed.

This causes estrogen and progesterone levels to fall and menstruation to begin.

However, you may experience some spotting during early pregnancy.

One study found that 14 out of 151 participants experienced one day of vaginal bleeding in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.

Furthermore, 15 percent to 25 percent of people may experience spotting during the first three months of pregnancy.

Taking note of the timing and any other symptoms present can help you differentiate between typical menstruation and pregnancy-related spotting.

Implantation bleeding usually occurs 6 to 12 days after conception. It’s caused by the fertilized egg attaching to your uterus lining.

This light spotting usually only lasts 24 to 48 hours and is generally much lighter than the average period.

You may also experience spotting as a result of increased blood flow in the cervix. This type of spotting is most common after sex, a Pap test, or a pelvic exam.

If you’re experiencing unexpected bleeding, see a doctor or other healthcare provider.

If you had unprotected sex and want to avoid pregnancy, take emergency contraception (EC) as soon as possible.

There are two main types — the copper IUD and the hormonal EC pill — and they can both work up to five days after unprotected sex.

The IUD prevents pregnancy by producing an inflammatory reaction that’s toxic to sperm and eggs.

It’s more effective than the morning-after pill, but it’s only available by prescription and has to be inserted by a doctor within five days of unprotected sex.

The pill delivers a high dose of hormones to delay ovulation or prevent a fertilized egg from implanting to the uterus.

Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and MyWay are all available over the counter.

Which should you use?
As a general rule of thumb, EC pills may be less effective for people who have a higher body mass index (BMI).
There isn’t any research to suggest that the copper IUD is similarly affected by BMI, so this option may be more effective.
Talk to your local pharmacist or other healthcare provider about which EC option is right for you.

Wait until the first day of your missed period to take a home pregnancy test.

But if you can wait a little longer, taking the test one week after the date of your missed period may produce the most accurate result.

If you have an irregular cycle, wait one to two weeks after you had sex to take the test.

This will allow your body to develop high enough human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels to be detected by the test.

If you get a positive result, you might want to check again in a day or two since it’s possible to get a false positive. Then reach out to a medical provider to confirm the results.

Whether you’re trying to prevent pregnancy or trying to conceive, it’s always a good idea to talk about it with a doctor or other healthcare provider.

They can help you learn more about your cycle and discuss your options moving forward. This could include birth control, fertility awareness, or family planning.

Simone M. Scully is a writer who loves writing about all things health and science. Find Simone on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

When am I most fertile? How to calculate your ovulation cycle

In theory, a person can become pregnant at any time in their cycle, but it is most likely to happen around the time of ovulation. When ovulation happens will vary according to a person’s cycle.

Females are most fertile within a day or two of ovulation, which is when the ovaries release an egg. But, it is possible to get pregnant in the days leading up to ovulation, as sperm can survive for several days inside the female body.

The days during the menstrual cycle when a person is least likely to get pregnant are known as the ‘safe period.’

This article describes how to calculate the fertile window to aid or avoid conception.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

The average person’s menstrual cycle is between 28–32 days. Some people have shorter cycles, while others have much longer ones.

The first day of a person’s period is considered the first day of their menstrual cycle. Their period then typically lasts 3–7 days.

Variations in the menstrual cycle usually happen in the follicular phase that occurs before ovulation.

The luteal phase, which occurs from ovulation to the next period, is typically 14 days long.

Learn more about the phases of the menstrual cycle here.

Ovulation occurs when one of the ovaries releases an egg. After release, the egg moves to the fallopian tube, where it will travel to the uterus, which takes about 24 hours.

Pregnancy occurs if sperm travels to the fallopian tube and fertilizes the egg. If sperm does not fertilize the egg, the egg moves to the uterus and breaks down, ready to leave the body during the next menstrual period.

Learn more about sperm here.

Calculating ovulation

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, ovulation occurs around 14 days before a person expects to have their next period if their monthly cycle is 28 days.

Most people ovulate between days 11–21 of their cycle. The first day of their last menstrual period (LMP) is day 1 of the cycle. Ovulation does not always occur on the same day every month and can vary by a day or more on either side of the expected date.

Doctors call the part of the cycle around ovulation the fertile window because the chance of pregnancy is highest at this time. For example, if ovulation occurs on day 14, a person can conceive on that day or within the following 24 hours.

However, their fertile window begins a few days before ovulation because sperm can survive for up to 5 days inside the female body. So, even if a person does not have sex on day 14 or 15, it is still possible to become pregnant if they had sex without using contraception on days 9-13.

According to research from 2018, the likelihood of conception rises from day 8, reaching its maximum on day 13 and decreasing to zero by day 30.

However, It is essential to note that these findings should only act as a guideline. Every person and every cycle is different.

It can be helpful for a person to chart their monthly cycle and take note of the signs of ovulation to help pinpoint the exact day of ovulation each month.

Learn more about ovulation here.

Signs of ovulation

Tracking the signs of ovulation can help someone determine the precise day they ovulate each month.

Signs include:

mild cramping in the lower abdomen
wetter, clearer, and more slippery vaginal discharge similar to egg white
a small increase in basal body temperature
a higher sex drive

Some of these signs, such as basal body temperature, will continue to change after ovulation. For this reason, a person should not use temperature to predict the fertile window.

It may be helpful for someone to track the signs over a few months to get an idea of what is typical for their body.

But they should keep in mind that there are several variables, and the timing of ovulation can change, month-to-month.

Another option is to use an ovulation predictor kit or fertility monitor.

Fertility aids measure the levels of specific hormones in the urine to determine the ovulation day each month. Some devices also identify days of peak fertility.

Using a combination of these methods may provide an individual with the best accuracy.

The following table, based on research from 2015, summarizes a typical menstrual cycle and how fertile a person is likely to be at each stage:

Day of cycle	Stage	Fertility
1–7	menstruation	least fertile stage
8–9	post-menstruation	possible to conceive
10–14	days around ovulation	most fertile
15–16	post-ovulation	possible to conceive
17–28	thickening of uterine lining	less fertile — unlikely to conceive

To get a more specific range of highest fertility windows based on the day of ovulation, a person can track the first day of their last period in a pregnancy calculator.

Learn more about how to track ovulation here.

To maximize the chances of becoming pregnant, a person should time sexual intercourse to occur during the 2–3 days leading up to, and including, ovulation. Having sexual intercourse on any of these days may provide a 20–30% chance of pregnancy.

Other tips to improve the chances of conception include:

Have regular sexual intercourse. Pregnancy rates are highest among partners who have sex every 2 or 3 days throughout the month.
Avoid smoking. Smoking tobacco reduces fertility and impacts the health of a developing fetus.
Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol intake can reduce fertility in males and females and harm a fetus.
Maintain a moderate weight. People who have overweight or underweight are more likely to have irregular ovulation.
Reduce stress: While the research on whether anxiety or stress can reduce fertility is not conclusive, it is clear that reducing stress can provide some benefit for a person trying to conceive.
Manage comorbidities: Rule out or treat any medical causes that may contribute to infertility. In females, this can include hormonal problems, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, autoimmune disorders, and more.

A doctor can assess a couple’s overall health and may be able to identify methods to improve the probability of conception.

Learn more about infertility in males and females here.

What can affect male fertility?

Even if a person is having regular sexual intercourse and tracking ovulation, there can be reasons why the sperm cannot reach the egg.

Causes of male infertility include:

Sperm morphology: Differences in the size and shape of the sperm can impact fertility.
Low sperm count: The male partner’s ejaculate fluid does not contain sufficient sperm. Fertility doctors consider a person to have a low sperm count if they have under 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen — the fewer the sperm, the lower the chances of conception.
Low sperm motility: This means the sperm cannot move as efficiently to reach the egg.

There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause any of these problems with male fertility, including a hormonal imbalance, infection or injury to the testicles, surgery in the area, and diseases such as cancer.

Learn more about sperm count here.

Some people may wish to track their fertility to prevent pregnancy. This is known as the fertility awareness method.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) charts fertility awareness-based methods of contraception as having a 24% failure rate with typical use.

The chances of pregnancy are lowest during a person’s period and on the days on either side of the period.

However, they may still become pregnant if they have ovulated early or late in their cycle, as sperm can survive in the body for several days.

People wishing to use the fertility awareness method should speak with their doctor first.

Learn more about the types of contraception available here.

Ovulation and the fertile window can change from cycle to cycle, but they may also alter with age. Fertility naturally begins to decline in females in their 30s. By age 40, a person’s chance of conceiving drops to 10% per cycle.

The number of eggs and egg quality decrease with age. Ovulation may also become irregular.

Some medical conditions, such as endometriosis or PCOS, also make conception more difficult.

Learn more about PCOS and fertility here.

Birth control pills aim to prevent unintended pregnancy. The pill prevents pregnancy by releasing synthetic hormones that stop ovulation from occurring and the uterus lining from thickening.

So, even if the ovaries do release an egg, a fertilized egg would be unable to implant in the wall of the uterus. The pill also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.

According to the CDC, the birth control pill is more than 99% effective with perfect use but only 91% effective with typical use. This means that around 9 out of 100 women would become pregnant in a year of taking the pill with typical use.

Learn more about the pill and its potential side effects here.

Females who track their fertile window with the aim of getting pregnant should see their doctor for preconception planning.

As well as identifying barriers to conceiving, a doctor can advise on the use of folic acid or prenatal supplements to encourage a safe pregnancy.

Most couples who have frequent sex without contraception will conceive within 12 months.

Women under 35 years of age should see their doctor if they do not conceive after a year of trying. Those over 35 years of age should seek medical advice after 6 months of trying to conceive.

Anyone who has irregular cycles or does not appear to ovulate should also speak with their doctor. There may be an underlying medical cause that is preventing ovulation and conception.

Learn more about irregular periods and pregnancy here.

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about when pregnancy can occur.

Can I get pregnant 2 days before my period?

Days 17-28 before the first day of a person’s period are the days when the uterine lining begins to thicken. While a person is less likely to conceive during this time, conception is still possible.

Learn more about the uterine lining here.

Can I get pregnant on my period?

Although pregnancy is still possible, a female is less fertile while on their period.

Learn more about getting pregnant during a period here.

How many days after your period can you get pregnant?

A female can get pregnant at any time during her menstrual cycle. The likelihood of pregnancy is highest during ovulation, which is typically days 10-14.

Intermenstrual bleeding can occur between periods. To pinpoint the start of a menstrual cycle, a female must correctly identify their actual period.

Learn more about bleeding between periods here.

Each person’s menstrual cycle is different. Generally, it lasts 28–32 days. A person is at their most fertile during ovulation, which occurs around days 10–14.

A person can calculate the exact days of ovulation each month by counting from the first day of their period.

However, certain medical conditions may affect ovulation or impact the sperm’s ability to reach the egg.

People who have been unable to conceive for over a year should talk with a fertility specialist.

Read the article in Spanish.

Is it possible to get pregnant before menstruation

September 30, 2022 Likbez Health

This is unlikely, but best not to experiment.

Is it possible to get pregnant before menstruation

Yes, but the probability is low. If you want to get pregnant, then it is better to choose days that coincide with the "fertility window" - this is the time five days before ovulation, immediately after ovulation, and up to 24 hours after. At this time, the chances of fertilization will be highest. This variation arose due to the fact that sperm remain alive in the uterus and fallopian tubes for up to five days, and the egg for up to two. nine0003

If, on the contrary, you would like to avoid conception, then with a high degree of probability nothing will happen before your period. However, the opportunity is still there. Therefore, if you are not planning on having a baby at the moment, be sure to use effective methods of contraception whenever you have penetrating sex. It can be, for example, a condom.

Why you can get pregnant even before your period

You can count the days for years, and then face a failure and an unplanned pregnancy. So, in 221 women with regular periods, the ability to conceive was checked for 696 cycles, as a result, only 30% of the fertility window completely coincided with the calculations, and 4-6% were able to become pregnant on the day they were waiting for the start of their period. It is quite difficult to accurately determine the time of ovulation, any violation shifts the window by several days, so no one can give a guarantee.

Are there definitely "safe" days for sex?

Rather no than yes. The calendar method is an unreliable method of contraception. With a perfect count, in theory, 1-5 women out of 100 will become pregnant in a year, but in reality, 12-24 women. This method is definitely not suitable for an irregular cycle, for those who have bleeding between menstruation and who, for health reasons, absolutely cannot get pregnant. In addition, such contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. nine0003

If, in addition to the calendar, keeping a diary of basal temperature and cervical mucus, as well as doing home ovulation tests, then reliability increases. But all this requires iron discipline and daily measurements for many months. If pregnancy is definitely not included in the plans, it is better to choose a non-calendar method as contraception.