Preggers Before 1st Period? [Ask Dr. Miro: What You Didn’t Learn in Health Class]

Dear Dr. Miro,

Is it possible for a girl to get pregnant if she hasn’t had her first period? I thought no, but then some people told me that it was? Admittedly, my sex education wasn’t the best. Now my daughter’s 11 and I’m getting nervous about what to tell her on specifics. We’ve been having good conversations for years (just like you’ve recommended). I’m trying to be realistic because, I didn’t get my period until I was 15 so I want to clear up anything before it gets too late.

Sincerely,
Not Ready To Be Grandma

Dear NRTBG,

First, let me applaud you on your desire to inform your child! It is so great to hear from parents about their willingness to communicate with their children on all levels. The quick answer may surprise many. Yes, it is possible for a gal to get pregnant if she has not had her first menses. Now for the long answer… Just because there has been no visual menstrual blood does not mean your daughter has not started to ovulate. This happens 14 days before actual discharge, as in, her period. For a bit of a brush up on female reproductive cycles, remember Ovulation is when a mature egg has been released from the ovary through an oviduct and is ready to be fertilized. Meanwhile the uterine lining is thickening for optimum fertilized egg implantation. This is the most fertile time of month for a woman. There is a massive increase in sexual desire and lubrication, or to put it blatantly: Ovulation is when Ladies get the horniest and most likely to conceive. It is your bodies’ ways of getting on that reproduction train. If no conception happens, the egg and uterine lining get sloughed off and emerge from the vaginal opening as menstruation and everything starts all over again. That is why it is called a cycle!

Officially, it is true. Unless a girl has started this delightful cycle she cannot get pregnant. The issue arises when you are unsure of when it has begun due to initial unawareness of the start of ovulation. How could she know? She has never experienced it before! The best way to avoid pregnancy, as well as Sexually Transmitted Infections, is to teach your little lady about condoms. No matter when she becomes sexually active, this is definitely the best way to go in the situation. Please do not simply tell your daughter, “Use condoms!” actually let your Tween know about expiration dates, give her access to condoms and make sure she understands how to use them. If you are unsure about these details, let me know and I can do an entire blog on proper condom usage. Good luck!

Lust & Happiness,
Dr. Miro

featured image credit: viklahan