Can sperm survive in menstrual blood?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Chandra P

General Practitioner

MBBS
5+ Yrs

Consult Now

Women are not able to conceive whilst on their period, but sperm survives within the female reproductive system for up to five days. This means that a tiny fraction of women do have a small chance of becoming pregnant during their period.

Dr. Chandra Suggests...

Consult a Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Find a Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Answered 04/07/2025

Ask Apollo

AI powered Health Chatbot

Continue Chat

Sperm Survival in Menstrual Blood
Sperm survival in menstrual blood is generally limited. Menstrual blood creates an environment that is not very supportive for sperm due to its acidity and presence of immune cells.
Optimal Conditions for Sperm Survival
Sperm typically survive best in cervical mucus around ovulation, which is more alkaline and nourishing. Under optimal conditions, sperm can survive inside the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days.
Potential for Pregnancy
While sperm survival in menstrual blood itself is unlikely, if sperm enter the reproductive tract during menstruation, there is a small chance they could survive and potentially lead to pregnancy.
Recommendation
If you have concerns about fertility or contraception, discussing with a healthcare provider can provide personalized advice.

Recommended next steps

Consult a Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Find a Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Answered 20/08/2025

More Obstetrics & Gynaecology Health Queries

View all

I'm a bit concerned about some symptoms I'm experiencing. My partner and I had sex around my ovulation, specifically on day 14 of my cycle, and now just two days after, I'm noticing weakness, leg cramps, and feeling like I'm going to vomit, but without actually throwing up. Could these be early signs of pregnancy?

Its possible that these symptoms could be early signs of pregnancy, but they can also be linked to hormonal changes around ovulation. If your period is late, a home pregnancy test can help clarify whether you're pregnant.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I have a 6.56 cm chocolate cyst in my left ovary and really don't want surgery can diet and exercise help shrink or dissolve it naturally? What options do I have besides going under the knife?

excision of the cysts is advised.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

I'm a bit worried because my wife's pregnancy test came back positive, but we weren't planning on having another baby right now since our little one is just two years old. Her period was supposed to start on the 23rd of this month. Could you give us some advice on what we should do next? We're really looking for a solution.

While the risk is extremely low, it's not impossible. Precum can contain sperm, and if it comes into contact with the vagina, pregnancy can theoretically occur. However, the chances are very slim, especially without ejaculation or penetration. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the risk of pregnancy from precum is estimated to be around 1-4%.

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors