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 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
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
Related medical questions
- Can antibiotics delay or make your period late?
- How long do antibiotics affect birth control?
- Why are my nipples sore? 7 possible causes
- Do antibiotics affect the morning after pill?
- What are the side effects of IUDs?
- Birth control failure rates - the Pearl Index explained
- What's the weight limit for Plan B?
- When do I start taking Diane pills for birth control?
- Can Kyleena cause weight gain?
- Mirena, Kyleena, Skyla & Liletta - What's the difference?
- After having a Kyleena insertion, how long do I have to wait to have intercourse?
- When will I get my first period after inserting the Implanon implant?
- Is this normal - spotting and stomach cramps from starting birth control pills?
- Twirla vs Xulane: How do they compare?
- Yeast Infections
- Can Kyleena cause acne?
- Is it okay to take Vyvanse while on birth control?
- Can Kyleena make your period stop?
- ParaGard vs Mirena: What's the difference?
- Can you start the Xulane patch anytime?
- Should I stop using Xulane if I get a rash?
- How much does Opill cost?
- Can you get pregnant on the Xulane patch?
- Can you get pregnant with an IUD?
- How long after having a Depo Provera shot can you have unprotected sex?
- Can you get pregnant on Paragard?
- Why are the Trinessa birth control pills colored differently for different weeks? When do I start?
- How do I use Opill birth control?
- What is the name of the generic NuvaRing?
- What is the difference between Nexplanon and Implanon?
Related support groups
- Birth Control (464 questions, 3,675 members)
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (31 questions, 122 members)
