(no subject)

[othr-white-meat.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if this is the right community to post my question, so please, if it isn't, point me in the correct direction.

What are the chances that one might be pregnant if she is menstruating?

For example, let's say intercourse has been had. The female starts her period. What are the chances that she is pregnant?

I understand that mentruation is when the linings of the uterus shed and the unused egg is destroyed, but I could've sworn that I heard somewhere that pregnant ladies could still experience menstruation.

Thank you for all your help in advance.

X-posted.

Comments

[skeptictank.livejournal.com]

It's possible. Some women experience bleeding (although it is rather light) well into the first few months of pregnancy. It's not highly common, and a doctor should be consulted just for safe measure, but it's possible.

[silverfiremagic.livejournal.com]

it is possible to be bleeding, however it is not a period. what you are thinking of is much more like spotting, very light, but if a womans periods are very light to begin with, it can be mistaken. if it is heavy, you are not pregnant, though you can take a home test to ease your mind, if that would help you.

[snowowl.livejournal.com]

The two ladies above me interpreted your question as, can pregnant women still get periods? But I'm not sure if this is your question, when I first read it I thought you were asking about the liklihood of getting pregnant by having sex while or just prior to menstruation.

A female has a regular period and knows that it should come, let's say, Friday. She has unprotected sex on the Monday prior. In that case, the chances of her being pregnant are slim to none, because at that time she would be in her luteal phase. That is to say, there is no egg to be fertilized.

Women CAN get pregnant while on their period, however, because if they have a seven day period and have sex on day six or seven, and happen to have a short cycle (21 days or so), the sperm could live for a few days until ovulation.

It isn't wise to rely on the calendar method (knowing when you usually menstruate to determine your luteal phase) because one may ovulate later than usual due to stress or any number of reasons. You should instead use the Fertility Awareness Method to chart your cycle and thus know when you ovulate.