Family Planning Plus

Anytime you have unprotected intercourse, there is the risk of pregnancy. The more frequently you have unprotected intercourse, the more likely it is that you will become pregnant.

However, the level of risk can depend on where you are at in your menstrual cycle.

The first day of your period is considered day 1 of your menstrual cycle. “One cycle” is considered to be from day 1 of a period to day 1 of the next period. Normal cycles are around 25-28 days. This means that you have a period regularly about every 25 to 28 days. Cycle lengths can vary. Things like stress, medications, hormones, lack of sleep can all cause your period to come earlier or later than usual. Therefore, your ovulation time (the time when you are most fertile) will also vary.

If you have a 28 day cycle, then ovulation (fertile) time would be in the middle, from approximately days 12 to 16. The times prior to this and after this, theoretically, are when you are less fertile. During your period days, typically, the risk of pregnancy is lower. Keep in mind, that a woman who has shorter cycles (less than 23 days between periods) will ovulate earlier, possibly around day 8 or 10, while bleeding/spotting may be still occurring.

If you and your partner are not planning on becoming parents, it is best to use an effective birth control method consistently. Condoms can be very effective when used correctly. You may want to consider beginning a long term method of birth control like pills, Depo injection, patch, etc. Hormonal methods of birth control provide you with protection during your entire cycle.

If you are interested in long term birth control, Family Planning Plus clinics offer birth control at little to no cost, depending on your household size & income.