How can you get pregnant still when you're on your period?

It's possible to get pregnant on your period because sperm can survive inside the body for up to five days.

Most people assume their period is a "safe" time because you're not ovulating. And usually you're not. But sperm doesn't die as soon as it enters the body. It can hang around for days, waiting. So if you have sex towards the end of your period and you ovulate shortly afterwards (which can happen if your cycle is short or irregular), sperm from days earlier could still be there to meet the egg.

Cycles aren't always predictable, especially when you're young. You might ovulate earlier one month than the next. And sometimes what looks like a light period is actually spotting related to ovulation, which means you could be at your most fertile when you think you're on your period.

The chances of getting pregnant during your period are lower than at other times in your cycle, but they're not zero. If you don't want to get pregnant, use contraception every time.

You can get pregnant on your period because sperm can live inside the body for up to five days.

Most of the time you are not releasing an egg during your period. But if you have sex near the end of your period and you release an egg soon after, sperm from days earlier could still be alive to meet it.

Cycles are not always regular, especially when you are young. You might release an egg earlier one month than the next.

The chance of getting pregnant on your period is lower than at other times. But it is not zero. If you do not want to get pregnant, use contraception every time.