Pregnancy Risk Before Menstruation: Understanding Risks for Young Girls

Question
Can a young preteen woman of 11Y.O. not yet menstrating yet become pregnant?

Answer
Hello John,

Yes because if she has intercourse in her very first ovulatory cycle, which would be before she had her first period, she could get pregnant in that cycle.

However, ordinarily, 11 year olds are not sexually active yet, and also, the lack of menstrual cycles means that she is not yet functional i.e. ovulatory.  Both of those facts prevent most preteens from becoming pregnant.

I hope this answers your question.

Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com

Monterey, California, U.S.A.