The average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but it is individual for each woman: it can be 21 or 35. It consists of several phases. Menstrual – menstruation itself, which lasts an average of 5-6 days. Then the follicular phase begins, in which the body prepares to release the egg. In the ovulation phase, the egg is ready for fertilization. Finally, the luteal phase begins.

If conception has occurred, critical days will disappear (it happens that not, but this is rare), but if nothing happened, the cycle repeats. The average time from ovulation to menstruation is 14 days.

It is important to remember that after any sexual contact, pregnancy can occur, regardless of whether you have discharge or not. Of course, the probability of pregnancy during menstruation is small, but it is still there, and here’s why. Spermatozoa can live up to 96 hours (four days), and if you happen to ovulate early, they will have time to “catch up” with a fresh egg.

It depends on the length of the cycle. For example, with a short cycle of 23 days, it can happen on the ninth, and with a 33-day cycle, on the 19th. Ovulation itself lasts from 12 to 48 hours, which, together with the life of spermatozoa, creates a rather large window for pregnancy.

The answer is obvious: protect yourself. Best of all – a condom, pills, a spiral, injections, a band-aid. Relying on the calendar method, interrupted intercourse or hot showers is not worth it. Spermatozoa reach the cervix in a matter of minutes, and it is unlikely that you will have time to wash everything off. In the case of PPA, do not forget that during sex, sperm is also released and one frisky sperm is enough to nullify all precautions.