You can still get pregnant… and everything else you need to know about the risks of period sex

The question about whether you can get pregnant on your period or not is one of the most searched queries on the internet.

Experts say it's a common misconception that if a woman has period sex she cannot become pregnant - but they believe it's absolutely possible.

Here's what you should know about period sex - the good, the bad and the slightly messy.

1. You can still get pregnant

The probability of getting pregnant while on your period is low, but the possibilities are there.

Dr. Michele Hakakha, an obstetrician and gynaecologist based in Los Angeles and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, said not every woman follows the normal 28-day menstrual cycle.

The doctor explained a woman’s ovulation can overlap with menstruation.

If your cycle is shorter, for example every 21 to 24 days, you "could have seven days of bleeding, have intercourse on your final day of bleeding, and ovulate three days later".

2. Sperm can survive for three to five days

If you have sex towards the end of your period, you could "definitely get pregnant" since "sperm can live for three to five days" according to Dr Hakakha.

3. Higher chance of STIs

When you have unprotected sex, there is always a risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or gonorrhoea.

Tara Ford, a physician assistant at the Medical Center for Female Sexuality in Purchase, New York added: "Because the cervix is more open during this time of month (which allows the blood to pass), you have a slightly higher risk of infection from exposure to a sexually transmitted disease during unprotected sex."

4. Don't forget protection

If you can't avoid physical intimacy despite those PMS feelings, use a towel and always use some form of contraception such as condoms.

Not only will it protect you from unwanted pregnancies but from STDs too.