Can a girl get pregnant when she's just gotten over her period? – Katherine* Yes! Having unprotected sex at any time is risky and can result in pregnancy. Sometimes ovulation — the time when a girl is most likely to become pregnant — can happen within a few days of when your period ends. Also, sperm can fertilize an egg for 72 hours (3 days) after ejaculation. Having unprotected sex at any time is very risky — a girl can even get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Along with the chance of becoming pregnant, there is also the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as chlamydia, genital warts, or HIV. The only surefire way to prevent pregnancy and STDs is abstinence. If you do have sex, use a condom every time to protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. And talk to your doctor about additional forms of contraception. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. Back to Articles Related Articles STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) You've probably heard lots of discouraging news about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. Find out how to protect yourself. Read More About Birth Control Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article to get the basics on birth control. Read More Female Reproductive System Why do girls get periods? What goes on when a woman gets pregnant? What can go wrong with the female reproductive system? Find the answers to these questions and more in this article for teens. Read More All About Periods Periods can be confusing. Get the facts in this article for teens. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.