Can I get pregnant from having sex few days before my periods?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had unprotected sex a few days before my expected date of periods. The period is now late by a week. I have been having cramps. I also had a brown spotting, but there was nothing after that.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If you had sex in the last week of your cycle, there is no chance of a pregnancy. The life of an egg is 24 hours and that of a sperm is 72 hours. Ovulation occurs in the 12th to the 16th day of your cycle. So, there is no chance that the egg will be alive until the last week of the period. Cramping could be a sign of impending periods. The delay could be due to the anxiety of a possible pregnancy or any other recent stress.

In the case you took a hormone pill, it may alter the normal hormonal balance and cause a delay as well.You can wait for a maximum of two weeks after your expected date of periods. Even after that, if you do not have it, check with a home pregnancy kit, early in the morning. And, if it is positive, manage as per your gynecologist's opinion. If the urine test is negative, I suggest you have any of the oral combined birth pills, one tablet twice a day for 10 days. You can just throw away the 21st pill. You will have your periods within 7 to 10 days of the last pill.

Hope I have clarified your queries. Do write back. All the best.