“I WAS opposed to gays and lesbians, but last year I realized that the one thing I didn't want to be was judged, and I was the one doing the judging.”
—Tessa, 16, Meherrin, VA
Is there a safe time of the month to have sex and not get pregnant?
Any time a girl and a guy have vaginal intercourse, there's a risk of pregnancy. No time of the month is completely safe. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman is fertile. It is much safer to use condoms and contraceptives like the Pill. Only condoms can provide protection from most STDs.
Most girls ovulate, or release an egg, about 14 days before she gets her period. The egg can only survive for about 24 to 36 hours. She can only get pregnant if sperm reach the egg while it's still alive. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman fertile. Also, sperm can live up to five days inside a girl's reproductive system.
That means, if a couple has sex on Saturday and the girl ovulates on Wednesday, she could become pregnant on Thursday.
Females are least likely to become pregnant two days before their period starts and the first two days of their period. If a girl has sex on day 5 of her period and then ovulates early, say on day 10, there's a chance some sperm could still be alive and able to fertilize that egg. So, no, there is no 100% "safe time" of the month. It is much safer to use both condoms and contraceptives like the Pill.
Anytime a couple engages in unprotected sex there is also a risk of STDs as well as pregnancy. This means both partners need to get tested for STDs at a clinic or with their private doctor.
Most girls ovulate, or release an egg, about 14 days before she gets her period. The egg can only survive for about 24 to 36 hours. She can only get pregnant if sperm reach the egg while it's still alive. The problem is, ovulation can happen at different times each month. So, it's really hard to know when a woman fertile. Also, sperm can live up to five days inside a girl's reproductive system.
That means, if a couple has sex on Saturday and the girl ovulates on Wednesday, she could become pregnant on Thursday.
Females are least likely to become pregnant two days before their period starts and the first two days of their period. If a girl has sex on day 5 of her period and then ovulates early, say on day 10, there's a chance some sperm could still be alive and able to fertilize that egg. So, no, there is no 100% "safe time" of the month. It is much safer to use both condoms and contraceptives like the Pill.
Anytime a couple engages in unprotected sex there is also a risk of STDs as well as pregnancy. This means both partners need to get tested for STDs at a clinic or with their private doctor.
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Your Comments
RE: i use pill
Posted by: DanR on Sep 24th, 2008 2:11pm
Plan B can only be used for up to 5 days after unprotected
sex when you think there might be a risk of pregnancy.
Obviously, if you were taking the pill, you would have had
no reason to take Plan B. At this point, I would say wait a
few more days to see if your period is just a little late.
If you do not get it within the next week or so, then you
may want to see a health care provider or get a home
pregnancy test. Even though the risk of pregnancy on the
pill is low, there is still a risk.
i use pill
Posted by: resjc10 on Sep 24th, 2008 11:04am
I have been on birth control for a while and decided not to
have sex until my 3rd month (which was this month). I have
taken the pill every day about the same time and I am on the
3rd inactive pill and my period still hasn't come. I got my
period in the first to months I began to take the pill. What
does that mean? I had sex like 4-5 times during this month
so I wouldn't even know when to take the Plan B pill if i
needed to.
RE: before
Posted by: DanR on Aug 18th, 2008 10:27am
If you are talking about a "safe" time of the month to have
sex, the answer is: there is no 100% safe time of the month
to have sex and not get pregnant. It is best to use some
kind of birth control EVERY TIME you have sex to reduce the
risk of unwanted pregnancy. Using condoms can also help
reduce the risk of getting an STD.
before
Posted by: sam03 on Aug 15th, 2008 2:13am
i heard that your not supposed to have sex before you get
your period...is this true?
anal sex
Posted by: LucindaH on Jun 6th, 2008 1:52pm
If you use a condom during anal sex, it's unlikely that you
will get pregnant. The only risk of pregnancy during anal
sex is the possibility of semen dripping out of the anus and
into the vagina. Check out this FAQ about anal sex and
pregnancy: http://www.sexetc.org/faq/pregnancy/817.
anal sex
Posted by: buckeyes10 on Jun 3rd, 2008 6:55pm
can I get pregnant if I have anal sex? and my boyfriend uses
a condom?
RE: after a period
Posted by: DanR on May 19th, 2008 2:56pm
There is no 100% safe time for a girl to not get pregnant
except if she is abstaining from penile-vaginal intercourse.
You probably read above that a girl is least likely to
become pregnant the 2 days before her period and the first 2
days of her period. The key words here are LEAST LIKELY,
not 100%. If you have unprotected sex in the last 5 days
and you are worried check out this info on Plan B:
http://www.sexetc.org/faq/pregnancy/971.
after a period
Posted by: jitterbug8789 on May 14th, 2008 12:45am
Is it possible to get pregnant after a girl has had her
period?
RE: safe??
Posted by: DanR on Feb 28th, 2008 11:42am
As you probably saw above, there is no 100% safe time of the
month, however, using a condom can help reduce your risk of
pregnancy (as well as STDs). The important thing to know
is that even when condoms are used consistently and
correctly, they are still not 100% effective. In fact, no
form of birth control (other then abstinence) is 100%
effective. We recommend using a combination of condoms and
hormonal birth control pills to try to best protect yourself
and your partner.
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at the doctor's.
Posted by: gnomechick1 on Oct 5th, 2008 6:56am
my mom and i made an arrangment to put me on birth control
but when we got there they had all sorts of tools out and
they said to put on this gown and they said they were gunna
do somthing "down there" why is it that some woman or man
has to go in there and do whatever they do? it's gross and i
wouldnt want some person i hardly know even touch down
there.