It’s been well documented that you just cannot get pregnant on your period, it’s the one time of the month you don’t have to worry about it.
It’s not an old wives tale, like you can’t get pregnant standing up or if the guy has his socks on. (You obviously can, guys!)
However, it appears that we’ve put too much faith into this idea
While it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get pregnant on your period, that doesn’t mean it’s not possible.
You should technically only be able to get pregnant when your ovulating, which takes place over a 48 hour period once a month, according to Cosmopolitan.
It’s not likely that you will ovulate on your period, but don’t calm down just yet. You usually ovulate two weeks before your period.
However, it’s not that simple because sperm has the ability to stay alive in the body for up to three to five days before it finds an egg.
Not to mention that although usually you ovulate two days before your period, some women have crazy cycles.
So if you ovulate just a few days after having unprotected period sex then in theory you could end up pregnant.
The chances of your period and ovulation being that close together is very unlikely, but it’s still best to play it safe and use a backup form of birth control when you’re on your period.
If you’re on the pill or have the coil then you don’t actually release an egg, therefore no fertilisation can take place.
So unprotected sex is not advisable – EVER!