Myth: Women Are Fertile Throughout Cycle

Fertility Myths

Obie Editorial Team

Myth: Women are fertile and can get pregnant at any time during their cycle.

Fact: True and not true. Women can only get pregnant from making love during a 6-day period: The 5 days before and the day of ovulation. Even though the egg survives for only up to 12-24 hours, the reason women are considered fertile for longer than 24 hours (or 48 hours in the case of a multiple ovulation) is because sperm can live for up to five days if fertile quality cervical fluid is present. Women cannot get pregnant if they make love after ovulation.