We’ve all heard the advice to have sex every day during your fertile window, which is the 4-5 days before and the day of ovulation. But, does that really increase your chances of getting pregnant?
Despite the popular myth of “saving sperm,” abstaining from sex can actually throw off conception odds. Here are some tips on how to maximize your fertility.
How often should I have sex?
A lot of couples try to time their sexual activity to conceive, but this approach can feel stressful and pressured. It’s also important to remember that sex should be for pleasure as well, and not just used as a tool to get pregnant.
The most fertile time of the month for a woman is usually the six days leading up to and including ovulation, when there is a high probability of conception. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, it’s recommended that you have sex every day or every other day in the days leading up to your predicted ovulation date.
It’s also suggested that if you do have sex on the day of your ovulation (or on the next day, if you miss ovulation), it should be light and that you skip a day in between to allow your partner to replenish his or her sperm supply. This technique is called the ‘rhythm method’.
The type of sex doesn’t appear to affect fertility, but it’s possible that the position of the body during sex can make a difference. For example, researchers found that missionary positions like lying on your stomach were the most likely to cause a pregnancy, while doggy-style sex was less successful. Using lubricants containing a sperm-friendly substance, such as hydroxyethylcellulose, may help. (Source: ASRM, 2017). However, even if you’re having sex at the right times, it can take a few days for sperm to reach an egg and fertilize it.
How often should my partner have sex?
When it comes to the frequency of lovemaking, no one-size-fits-all answer exists. It depends on the individual needs and libido of each partner, as well as other factors like stress and fatigue. But if you are trying to get pregnant, having frequent sex may help increase your chances.
For women, the most fertile time of their menstrual cycle is in the days leading up to and including ovulation. Having sex during these five to six day windows of fertility (your ‘fertile window”) is essential for conception. However, many couples find this schedule too intense and may be able to conceive more easily by having sex less frequently, explains relationship expert Howard.
Women who have sex more often are more likely to be fertile because their bodies produce more helper T cells, which prevent the body from reacting to sperm as an invader and potentially rejecting it. However, if too much sex leads to stress or exhaustion, it may actually make pregnancy more difficult by causing your body to sabotage itself.
There’s also no reason to avoid certain positions, since research shows that any position can be successful in conceiving, as long as the penis is deep enough to reach the recesses of the cervix. For this reason, it’s okay to try missionary and doggy-style sex, as both have been shown to improve the odds of conceiving.
How often should I have sex with my partner?
There’s no set answer to this question, as the ideal frequency of sex varies from couple to couple. However, on average, most couples have sex about once per week. This may be enough for some couples to feel happy and fulfilled, but others might need more sex.
If you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant, have sex during your fertile window, which is the 4-5 days leading up to ovulation and the day after. This is when the highest number of healthy sperm is available. However, don’t force it if you don’t feel comfortable or motivated. It’s important to have a conversation with your partner about what feels right for you both.
Many women may worry that too much sex could decrease their sperm quality or lead to an irregular cycle, which can cause pregnancy problems. However, it isn’t true that frequent sex can drain a man’s sperm. In fact, it’s been found that infertile men often have higher sperm counts than those who are regularly sexually active.
The key is to have sex as much as you enjoy and feel comfortable with. If it becomes unpleasant or you feel like you’re dreading it, that might be a sign of underlying issues such as low testosterone, which can interfere with fertility. If that’s the case, you should make an appointment with a doctor or urologist to discuss your options.
How often should I have sex with my partner’s partner?
Until recently, couples trying to conceive were told to have sex twice a week, every day except for the days just before and after ovulation. However, new research has found that the most important factor is the timing of sex, not the amount of it. Sperm can live for several days in a woman’s body, and an egg only lasts 24 hours, so having sex at the right time is crucial. The fertile window typically extends the 4-5 days before, and the day of, ovulation. To optimize fertility, it’s best to have sex in the morning after your partner gets a good night’s sleep.
The number of times a couple has sex should be based on their personal preferences and relationship goals. For example, a recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that on average, American married couples have sex 56 times per year, or about once a week. However, the researchers also noted that happiness with a marriage didn’t increase or decrease with how often a couple had sex.
It’s also a good idea to use an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) to track your ovulation cycle. These kits are similar to a pregnancy test, and look for a surge in the hormone LH, which signals the start of your ovulation window. Using an OPK can help you avoid missing your ovulation window and improve your chances of conception.