Can I get pregnant the first time I have sex?
Yes, you can. You can even get pregnant if you haven't had your first period yet but are going through puberty.
Pregnancy, or more correctly, conception, happens when a viable sperm enters a viable ovum (egg). Because eggs only live for 12 to 24 hours, sex has to occur around the time of ovulation for a pregnancy to occur - specifically, the five days before ovulation through to the day of ovulation. This is called the "fertile window" and reflects the lifespan of an ovum and the lifespan of sperm (around 5 days although, rarely, some sperm may last 7 days).
Sex that occurs before a first period could potentially result in pregnancy if ovulation occurs within five to seven days of the sex. And it has done, many times, as numerous teenagers will testify.
Ovulation in many women, and in particular teenagers, can also be hard to predict if menstrual cycles are irregular. This is why ANY stage of the menstrual cycle should be treated as a "risk period" for pregnancy until your cycles become predictable.
Pregnancy is not the only thing you need to consider before having sex. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are also prevalent; although the risk of transmission is greatly reduced by condom usage.
Read next
What are my options for birth control and how effective are they?
Birth control refers to any behavioral, hormonal, spermicidal, or physical device that is used to prevent pregnancy. Unfortunately for most, human error ("Oops the condom broke", or "I forgot to take my pill") is the reason most forms of birth control (also called contraception) fail; and this has resulted in most manufacturers rating their product's effectiveness on a dual scale: perfect use (PU) and typical use (TU). Continue reading
What should I expect after a Mirena IUD removal?
It is typically less painful to get your Mirena IUD removed than it is to get it inserted but for a few hours or days after the removal you may experience some light pain and bleeding, cramping, or feel dizzy. An IUD removal typically takes about 5 minutes, but you should allow 20 minutes for the whole appointment. Consider eating something before your appointment so you are less likely to feel dizzy, and take some painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen one hour before to help with any pain. Most women can go straight back to work or study or usual activities after the IUD is taken out. Continue reading
What are the signs that Plan B didn't work?
If you have had to take Plan B as an emergency contraceptive, you may be wondering if it has worked. While research shows it has an efficacy rate of 89% when used correctly, how easy is it to tell if it has worked for you? The easiest way to know that it hasn’t worked are a missed period and a positive pregnancy test. Continue reading
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