Have you ever wondered how your period works? Why does it come every month? What does it have to do with getting pregnant? Today we’re discussing a few common questions regarding your menstrual cycle.
What is a period?
Your period (also known as menstruation) is a woman’s monthly bleeding. When you menstruate, your body sheds the the lining of your uterus.
During your monthly menstrual cycle, the uterus lining builds up to prepare for pregnancy. If you do not get pregnant, specific hormones in your body will begin to fall, telling your body to start your period and get rid of the extra lining of your uterus.
What is the menstrual cycle?
The menstrual cycle is the monthly hormonal cycle a female goes through to prepare for pregnancy. It includes ovulation and menstruation.
How long is the menstrual cycle?
Your menstrual cycle is counted from the first day of your period up to the first day of your next period. The typical menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days, but every woman is different. Your cycle can also vary month to month – your periods are still considered “regular” even if the length of your cycle varies from 24 to 38 days.
What is ovulation?
Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg so it can be fertilized by sperm in order to create a baby. A woman has the highest chance of getting pregnant if she has sex within three days before ovulation. Sperm can live for three to five days in a woman’s reproductive organs, so if you have unprotected sex within three days of ovulation, the sperm will be ready and in place to fertilize the egg when you ovulate.
When will I ovulate?
On average, a woman ovulates 2 weeks following the first day of her period. However, each woman’s cycle length is different and the time between a woman’s period and ovulation can vary from two to three weeks.
How do I know if I’m ovulating?
A few days before you ovulate, you may experience an increase and change in your vaginal discharge. You may also check for an increase in your basal body temperature (your temperature after sleeping before you get out of bed). Some women also may test for luteinizing hormone (LH). LH is a hormone that tells the ovary to release an egg (ovulation). LH levels increase approximately 36 hours before ovulation.
Why should I keep track of my menstrual cycle?
If your periods are regular, tracking them will help you know when you will be most likely to get pregnant and when to expect your period. If your periods are not regular (you are missing periods or are having pain/bleeding that causes you to miss school or work), tracking your period and any symptoms you may have can help your healthcare provider find a treatment for you.
How can I keep track of my menstrual cycle?
You can keep track of your menstrual cycle by marking the days you start and end your period. After a few months you will be able to determine if your periods are regular or not. If you start tracking your period, you may also want to note:
- Period symptoms – Did you have cramping? Moodiness? Bloating? Breast tenderness?
- How heavy the bleeding was – Was it heavier or lighter than usual?
- How many days your period lasted – Was it longer or shorter than normal?
There are also apps available for your phone that allow you to track your periods and some include other features to track symptoms, energy levels and more.
While we can do our best to track our menstrual cycles and ovulations to prevent pregnancy, we can often miscalculate or forget to track days, and pregnancy may occur.
If you believe you may be pregnant, call Your Options Medical for your free pregnancy test today.
Wonderful Article. Thanks for posting.
Hi….I’m having my period on the 22th till 26th so when is my ovulation day exactly please help me to count?
Hi Montsheng,
As stated in the article, ovulation typically occurs approximately two weeks after the first day of your period. So, if your period starts on March 22nd you are likely to ovulate approximately around April 5th. Pinpointing the exact day you will begin ovulation requires more tracking than just dates but dating your cycle can give you a basic idea of the approximate time when you will begin ovulation. Does that make sense?
My wife gave birth three months ago and she had a period on the 19th of June and we had sex on 15th July. But as at today 20th of July she has not seen her peroid does it means she is pregnant.
Hi Jonh, First, congratulations on the birth of your child! If your wife’s last period was on 6/19 her probable conception time likely would have been around July 4th or 5th. Since she just had a baby, her hormones might be a little off. I would suggest if she has not started her period to try taking a pregnancy test. If she would like to receiving free pregnancy testing, please call 617-419-6112 or text 508-251-9022. Of course it is always good to consult a doctor with any concerns.
Goodday…i had unprotected sex with my girlfriend a day after her period…is she at risk of getting pregnant. .please help
Hi Daniel,
In answer to your question, “If your girlfriend could get pregnant if sex day after her period” ? In a perfect scenario I would say the chances are pretty slim. Conception typically occurs in the middle of her cycle- so about 2 weeks in after the first day of her period. The middle of her cycle is when most pregnancies occur. All that said, you notice I put in bold typically and most, anything is possible. If your girlfriend does not get her period when she should this coming month then certainly pregnancy test (either urine or blood ) might be appropriate.
Keep us posted
Nancy J. RN,MSN
Nurse Manager
Your Options Medical
Thank you for the timely response..i forgot to mention that i didnt ejaculate in her but am aware pre ejaculation can still contain viable sperm…i had her take a postpill about 2 days after…i want to believe that reduces the risk of her conceiving significantly..
Hi Daniel
Your question is a good one and you are correct that there has been found mobile sperm in the fluid ( pre ejaculation) in research studies that have been done. The post pill you refer to (I imagine you are talking about Plan B or the morning after pill) sometimes affects a pregnancy and sometimes does not. It is hard to know when and how it works to stop a pregnancy as many are not pregnant to begin with when they take it. You sound quite concerned about your girlfriend. I wish you well.
Our Centers do offer free pregnancy testing and free Ultrasounds if you feel down the road you need that information.
Nancy J. RN,MSN
Nurse Manager
Your Options Medical
I have my periof on 21st August to 24 August . My bf eject semen on me 28th .. can i get pregnant even i wash already?
Hi Molly,
Thank you for your question. There is always the possibility of getting pregnant when on has sexual intercourse, even if one washes afterward. Although the odds are very small, pregnancy can occur in women using the withdrawal method. Semen can be released pre-ejaculation, thereby fertilizing the egg creating a human fetus. If you would like to schedule an appointment for pregnancy testing and ultrasound (if medical criteria is met) please call 617-419-6112 or text 508-251-9022.
Barbara M. BSN,RN
Nurse/Sonographer
Your Options Medical
Hi I had my menses last month on24th to 29th.Then I had sex on 9th and up to now l having had my menses yet
It is possible of getting pregnant please help
Hello Seyra,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical with your concern.
Your period can be affected by a number of things including stress, medication, illness, diet and exercise. It is also possible that you are having a change in your cycle.
Have you done a home pregnancy test yet? This would be your first step.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Barbara, RN
Please waiting for my result
Hello Seyra,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical with your concern.
Your period can be affected by a number of things including stress, medication, illness, diet and exercise. It is also possible that you are having a change in your cycle.
Have you done a home pregnancy test yet? This would be your first step.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Barbara, RN
Hi.
I saw my period on 16 of March and am seeing it on the 21 April pls is this normal.
Hello Amadi,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical with your question.
There are many variables that can affect your period. I would ask many questions. Are you periods regular? Was your last period normal? Have you been under a lot of stress? Are you taking any new medications? Have you had an illness, changes in diet or exercise? What is your age? Sometimes cycles change every few years.
If this continues to be a concern to you, consult your doctor.
At Your Options Medical, we provide free telehealth calls with a nurse, pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling. To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022.
Thank you, again for reaching out and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Barbara, RN
I had an abortion on 21st of September and had unprotected sex on 15th and 17th of October. Today is 28th, what are the chances of been pregnant. Note: my circle is usually with 32days to 40days but mostly 36days.
Hello Dammie,
Thank you for reaching out to Your Options Medical with your question.
Please be aware that there is always a chance of getting pregnant when having unprotected sex. There is also the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection. For your health and safety, you should always practice safe sex.
Your period may not start when you think it should after having an abortion, so it is difficult to say whether or not you were fertile when you had unprotected sex. If you don’t start your period when you think you should you could take a home pregnancy test.
Typically, we recommend the best time to take a pregnancy test is one week after you have missed your period. Also, the best time to test is first thing in the morning. If the test reads negative, we recommend testing again in about one week. If you don’t start your period, you may want to consider requesting a blood pregnancy test from your primary care physician or OB/GYN as these tests are more accurate at detecting pregnancy than urine tests.
If your blood test comes back positive, the next step would be to have an ultrasound to determine if you are definitely pregnant. You would want to ensure the person performing the ultrasound confirms the following four things: 1). If the pregnancy is in the uterus. 2). Measure to determine the dating of your pregnancy (how far along you are). 3). If there is a detectable heartbeat. 4). If there are multiple babies or just one. At Your Options Medical, we provide free pregnancy testing, ultrasound, and pregnancy options counseling.
To schedule your confidential appointment, please call or text 508-251-9022. Thank you, again for reaching out, and please do not hesitate to contact us in the future if we can be of any further help.
Best Regards,
Barbara, RN