No, your period will not wash out sperm and you can still get pregnant during your period. While it is less likely to get pregnant during your period, sperm can survive in a woman's reproductive system for up to 5 days, regardless of whether she is menstruating or not. The misconception that menstrual blood washes out sperm is incorrect.
Here's why:
- Sperm can survive in the reproductive system: Sperm can travel through the cervix and into the uterus, where it can wait for an egg to be released. Even if you have sex during your period, sperm can still reach the uterus and fertilize an egg if you ovulate earlier than expected.
- Menstrual flow: The flow of menstrual blood is not strong enough to flush out sperm, which are quite resilient and can survive for a significant amount of time.
- Ovulation timing: If your cycle is shorter than average, you might ovulate earlier in your cycle, even before your period is over. This means that even if you have sex during your period, there's still a chance of getting pregnant.
Important: While the odds of getting pregnant during your period are lower than during ovulation, it's still possible. If you're not trying to get pregnant, it's best to use a reliable form of contraception during your period.