How many days after your period are you the most fertile

Understanding your menstrual cycle is crucial to defining when you ovulate and calculating when you are most likely to get pregnant. 

“Women should be aware that if they have an irregular period, it can make the ovulation days difficult to determine.” Said Dr. Martinelli. “When examining fertility, it’s important to realize that an egg can survive for about 24 hours after ovulation, and sperm can live inside a woman’s body for three days—though sometimes it’s possible for them to survive for five days. “

How long should a normal menstrual cycle last?

An average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, defined from the first day of menstrual bleeding to the first day of bleeding of the next period. However, irregular periods are very common.  An irregular period is defined as a cycle that varies by more than seven to nine days. 

There are several reasons why women may have abnormal periods, which can include fibroids, ovarian cysts, polyps, and even something as common as stress. 

“If you’ve constantly had an irregular period, please contact us for an appointment to determine the underlying cause and initiate treatment,” said Dr. Martinelli. 

When does ovulation start?

If you have a normal 28-day cycle, ovulation should occur about 14 days before you start your next period.

When can I become pregnant after my period?

If you have intercourse five days before ovulation until one day after ovulation, you can become pregnant. You’re much more likely to become pregnant if there are live sperm in the fallopian tubes during ovulation.

Fertility Awareness and Family Planning

Some women use fertility awareness as a method of natural birth control. One of the tools used is something called the Standard Days method. This establishes that if you have a period that is between 26 to 32 days long, days eight through 19 will be your most fertile days. However, this method is most effective when you have regular menstrual cycles. 

If a woman has a regular period and uses the method perfectly, less than one to five women out of 100 will become pregnant. However, the key words here are “perfect use.”  The typical use rate is different. Typical use means that the methods may be done incorrectly or measured inconsistently. In the first year of this typical use, 12 to 24 women out of 100 will become pregnant. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

Infertility Treatments

For those who are struggling with the challenge of infertility, understanding your ovulation cycle can help; however, it’s important to speak with us about some of the innovative infertility treatmentsoffered at our Chapel Hill office or Durham office. We have helped hundreds of couples conceive by utilizing the latest state-of-the-art treatments and caring for both their physical and emotional needs.

We Offer Extensive Options for Both Infertility Treatment and Birth Control

We see patients at every stage of their lives. While some are trying to get pregnant, others may be looking for the most effective form of permanent birth control. Still, others may be entering menopause while some may be having their first gynecological exam. 

At any stage of your life, we offer compassionate care that has made us a leader in the area for more than 40 years. We have locations in Chapel Hill and offer Durham gynecology and  Durham obstetrics services. No matter what stage in your journey, we want to care for you throughout your life. See why our patients love our personalized approach to medicine. Schedule an appointment today.

For more than 40 years, Chapel Hill OBGYN has served women in the Triangle area, sharing the joy of little miracles and supporting them during challenges. Our board-certified physicians and certified nurse midwives bring together the personal experience and convenience of a private practice with the state-of-the-art resources found at larger organizations. To schedule an appointment, please contact us for more information.


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.

How many days after your period are you the most fertile
Use our period pain relief patches that starts working within 15 minutes and can make you forget all-about period pains for 12 hours.

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.

Periods And 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!

Is it Safe to Have Sex After Periods?

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.

How many days after your period are you the most fertile
Use our period pain relief patches that starts working within 15 minutes and can make you forget all-about period pains for 12 hours.

Is it Safe to Have Sex Just After Periods?

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.

Day Of CycleStageFertility
1-7 Menstruation Least Fertility 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
How many days after your period are you the most fertile
Bodywise PMS Gummies can help you control mood swings, cramps, and are developed by Gynaecologist.

How Many Days After My Period Can I Get Pregnant?

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

How Many Days After Your Period Do You Ovulate?

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.

How many days after your period are you the most fertile
Use our PCOS Superfood which can help you reducing PCOS symptoms by controlling the insulin production in your body.

How Do You Count the Safe Days After Your Period

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.

Can you get pregnant a week after your period?

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.

How Soon Can I Take A Pregnancy Test?

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.

How To Prevent Pregnancy

1. Condoms

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

2. Female Condoms

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.

3. Diaphragm

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.

4. Contraceptive Pills

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.

5. Cervical Cap

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

In a Nutshell… How Many Days After Period is Safe 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.

FAQs

Can You Get Pregnant at the Beginning of Your Period?

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.

I Had Sex 3 Days After My Period. Can I Get Pregnant?

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.

Can You Get Pregnant 24 Hours After Your Period?

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.

When Can A Woman Not Get Pregnant?

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

  • Scarred or damaged fallopian tubes that prevent male sperm from fertilising the female egg can cause female infertility.
  • Irregular or abnormal uterine shapes make it challenging for a fertilised egg to attach itself to the uterine wall, and this causes female infertility.
  • Conditions such as PCOS cause women to ovulate inconsistently. When left untreated, this could lead to female infertility or inability to conceive for a while.

What Happens After Your Period Ends?

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.

References

Rachel Gurevich (2020) How Long Does Ovulation Last? (Very Well Family) https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-long-does-ovulation-last-1960235