when does pregnancy occur?

Forget everything you have heard about when pregnancy occurs. According to researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, only about 30 percent of women actually have their fertile period between days 10 and 17 of their menstrual cycle. This adds validity to what many 'accidentally' pregnant women, including myself, have long suspected.

Researchers found that the potential for fertility exists on almost every day of a woman's menstrual cycle. Most women in the study were between the ages of 25 and 35--prime reproductive age and the age when menstrual cycles are most regular. The window of fertility was found to be even more unpredictable for teenagers and women approaching menopause.

Data on tests of 213 women during almost 700 menstrual cycles concluded that even women with normally regular menstrual cycles should be advised that their fertile window can be significantly unpredictable. The NIEHS' Allen J. Wilcox, M.D., Ph.D., statistician David Dunson, Ph.D., and epidemiologist Donna Day Baird, Ph.D., described the results of these tests of otherwise healthy North Carolina women in a recent report in the British Medical Journal.

Women who seek to use their cycles to avoid pregnancy may face poor odds, according to the new scientific report. Data from the study suggests that there are "few days of the menstrual cycle during which some women are not potentially capable of becoming pregnant-- including even the day on which they may expect their next menses to begin."

According to Dr. Wilcox, "If the average healthy couple wants to get pregnant, they are just as well off to forget 'fertile windows' and simply engage in unprotected intercourse two or three times a week."

Researchers showed that 2% of women started their fertile window by day four of their menstrual cycle, and 17% by day seven. Day one of the menstrual cycle is the day that menstruation begins. More than 70% of women were in their fertile window before day 10 or after day 17. Women who regarded their menstrual cycles as "regular" had a 1 to 6 percent probability of being fertile even on the day that their next period was expected to begin. This leaves few "safe" days for natural birth control methods such as the "rhythm method." Women who participated in the study were required to provide daily urine samples that were tested for estrogen and progesterone. A sudden change in these hormones marks the occurrence of ovulation. This test was used to identify ovulation days during 696 menstrual cycles.

Previous reports by Dr. Wilcox and colleagues had shown that the fertile window spans six days and ended on the day of ovulation; however the new report found that even women whose menstrual cycles are normally regular can experience sporadic ovulation. Late ovulation causes 4 to 6 percent of women to potentially be fertile during the fifth week of their cycles--more than 28 days after menstruation last started.

Having sexual intercourse on your fertile day does not guarantee you will become pregnant. Other factors including the viability of the sperm and egg, and the receptivity of the uterus, as well as other individual factors among couples also influence whether pregnancy will result.

According to the NIEHS researchers, this report is the only modern test data that they are aware of on the range of the fertile window. During World War I, a German physician reported 25 pregnancies that were produced by single acts of sexual intercourse that occurred between menstrual cycle days 2 and 30 while soldiers were on leave--today, 84 years later this study suggests that the doctor's report was entirely plausible.

contraceptive...myths

During the last hundred years women were led to believe much about reproductive health that was simply untrue. Young girls were taught that menstruation was unmentionable-- a curse. Pregnant women in labor were often told to put a knife under their bed to "cut the pain." In the early 1900's birth control was illegal. Great controversy and debate over contraceptive use, even in marriage, existed.

1. I Won't Get Pregnant Having Sex On My Period
Many women believe that having unprotected sex during menstruation or during the first or last part of their menstrual cycle will keep them from becoming pregnant. The fact is while many women may be more likely to become pregnant midcyle, the chance of conceiving may be higher than previously thought at anytime of the month. Another fact to know: Sperm can live up to 5 days in a woman's body.

2. Breastfeeding My Baby Protects Me From Pregnancy
While ovulation and menstruation are not likely to happen while you are regularly breastfeeding your baby, eventually menstruation will return and you may ovulate without knowing it. So, yes it is possible to become pregnant while still breastfeeding your child. Tip: Most doctors recommend that women wait one year after giving birth before becoming pregnant again.

3. He Always Pulls Out Before He Ejaculates, I Won't Get Pregnant
This is one of the biggest falsehoods that women believe. Yes, you can get pregnant even if your boyfriend or husband pulls out before ejaculation. Before ejaculation occurs, a small amount of lubricating fluid is released which contains sperm. Fact: Any vaginal penetration by the penis can result in pregnancy, even if he always pulls out before ejaculation.

4. I Use Vaginal Douches After Sex To Keep From Getting Pregnant
I don't know how many women I have known over the years who believed this one. Vaginal douching or taking baths or showers after sexual intercourse will do nothing to help prevent pregnancy because the sperm has already traveled up towards the egg. Tip: Vaginal douching is almost never a good idea, read on to find out why.

5. I Won't Get Pregnant The First Time I Have Sex
If you have started your period, you can get pregnant.Generally, younger girls are more fertile than older women and can get pregnant very easily. Tip: Don't believe your boyfriend if he tells you that you won't get pregnant "just this one time." Insist on protection!

6. I Won't Get Pregnant or Get STDs, I'm On The Pill
Yes, it's true that the Pill is an effective method of birth control when used properly; however, the Pill does not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. The only 100 percent foolproof method of preventing an unwanted pregnancy or STDs is abstinence. Fact: While condoms offer some protection against STDs and pregnancy, they are not foolproof.

7. I Had Unprotected Sex Only One Time
One time is all it takes to get pregnant, or to get a STD or HIV. Don't let your boyfriend talk you into having unprotected sex even once or you may pay for a lifetime through an unplanned pregnancy and the resulting consequences or by getting a STD that could impact your future reproductive health and ability to have children. Tip: Take care of yourself and your body and refuse unprotected sex.

8. I'm Too Old To Get Pregnant
As long as you are having periods you can become pregnant. While it is true that the older you get the less fertile you are, you must consider yourself fertile and able to get pregnant until you have been without periods for at least one full year. Tip: After one year without periods, you can forget about birth control and enjoy unprotected sex as long as you are in a mongomous relationship.

9. I Don't Have Sex Often Enough To Use The Pill
If it is hard to know when you are going to need to use birth control, try using condoms or the Today Sponge. Both can be saved for use when needed. The Sponge offers the benefit of 24-hour protection so you can insert it in the morning and be protected all day. Tip: If you use condoms do not carry them around in your pocket or purse. Using a spermicide with condoms increases their effectiveness.

10. I've Had Lots Of Female Problems, So I Don't Think I Can Get Pregnant
Unless your doctor has told you that you cannot get pregnant, you need protection. Even, if your doctor has told you that you "probably won't get pregnant" without surgery or treatment, use birth control-- My only grandchild was conceived under such circumstances. Fact: Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective method of birth control. A condom is the only protection against STDs

Urinary Tract Infection

The urinary tract is the body's filtering system for removal of liquid wastes. Women are especially susceptible to bacteria which may invade the urinary tract and multiply resulting in infection.

Although most urinary tract infections or UTIs are not serious, they are painful. Approximately fifty percent of all women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime with many women having several infections throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, these infections are easily treated with antibiotics that cause the symptoms to quickly disappear. Some women seem are more prone to repeated infections than others and for them it can be a frustrating battle.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

The most common cause of UTI are bacteria from the bowel that live on the skin near the rectum or in the vagina which can spread and enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Once these bacteria enter the urethra they travel upwards causing infection in the bladder and sometimes other parts of the urinary tract.

Sexual intercourse is a common cause of urinary tract infections because the female anatomy can make women more prone to urinary tract infections. During sexual intercourse bacteria in the vaginal area is sometimes massaged into the urethra by the motion of the penis.
Women who change sexual partners or begin having sexual intercourse more frequently may experience bladder or urinary tract infections more often than women in monogomus relationships. Although it is rare, some women get a urinary tract infection every time they have sex.

Another cause of bladder infections or UTI is waiting too long to urinate. The bladder is a muscle that stretches to hold urine and contracts when the urine is released. Waiting very long past the time you first feel the need to urinate causes the bladder to stretch beyond its capacity which over time can weaken the bladder muscle. When the bladder is weakened it may not empty completely and some urine is left in the bladder which may increase the risk of urinary tract infection or bladder infection.

Other factors may also increase a woman's risk of developing UTI including pregnancy, having urinary tract infections or bladder infections as a child, having past menopause, and diabetes.

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections?

Symptoms of UTI or bladder infection are not easy to miss and include a strong urge to urinate that cannot be delayed which is followed by a sharp pain or burning sensation in the urethra when the urine is released. Most often very little urine is released and the urine that is released may be tinged with blood. The urge to urinate recurs quickly and soreness may occur in the lower abdomen, back, or sides.

This cycle may repeat itself frequently during the day or night--most people urinate about six times a day, when the need to urinate occurs more often a bladder infection should be suspected.

When bacteria enters the ureters and spread to the kidneys, symptoms such as back pain, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting may occur, as well as the previous symptoms of lower urinary tract infection.

Proper diagnosis is vital since these symptoms can also be caused by other problems such as infections of the vagina or vulva. Only your physician can make the distinction and make a correct diagnosis.

How is Diagnosis of UTI Made?

The number of bacteria and white blood cells in a urine sample is the basis for diagnosing urinary tract infections. Urine is examined under a microscope and cultured in a substance that promotes the growth of bacteria. A pelvic exam may also be necessary.

What is the Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections?

Antibiotics are the usual treatment for bladder infections and other urinary tract infections. Seven to ten days of antibiotics is usually required although some infections may require only a single dose of antibiotics.

It's important that all antibiotics are taken as prescribed. Antibiotics should not be discontinued before the full course of antibiotic treatment is complete. Symptoms may disappear soon after beginning antibiotic treatment. However, if antibiotics are quit early the infection may still be present and recur.

Another urine test may be ordered about a week after completing treatment to be sure the infection is cured.

Tips for Preventing Urinary Tract Infections

The most important tip to prevent urinary tract infections, bladder infections, and kidney infections is to practice good personal hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement or urination, and wash the skin around and between the rectum and vagina daily. Washing before and after sexual intercourse may also decrease a woman's risk of UTI.

Drinking plenty of fluids (water) each day will help flush bacterium out of the urinary system and emptying the bladder as soon as the urge to urinate occurs may also help to decrease the risk of bladder infection or UTI. Some physicians recommend urinating before and after sex as well as a mean of flushing out any bacteria that may enter the urethra during sexual intercourse.

Vitamin C makes the urine acidic and helps to reduce the number of potentially harmful bacteria in the urinary tract system.

Wear only panties with a cotton crotch--cotton allows moisture to escape whereas other materials may trap moisture and create a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

Cranberry juice often helps to reduce frequency of bladder infections. Cranberry supplements are available over-the-counter and many women find they work amazingly quickly when an UTI has occurred, however, a physician's diagnosis is still necessary even if cranberry juice or herbals reduce pain or symptoms.

If you experience frequent urinary tract infections changing sexual positions that cause less friction on the urethra may help. Some physicians prescribe an antibiotic to be taken immediately following sex for women who tend to have frequent UTIs.

Things to Remember...
Although urinary tract infections are common and distinctly painful they are usually easy to treat once properly diagnosed and only last a few days. When treated promptly and properly urinary tract infections are rarely serious.