Timing Intercourse to Maximize Fertility

October 6, 2020 | By: Dr. Patti Haebe, N.M.D

When couples finally make the monumental decision to conceive, they often feel a sense of urgency to conceive as quickly as possible.  Did you know that timing intercourse in relation to ovulation has a huge impact on your ability to conceive?

When can you get pregnant?

It’s actually only possible to get pregnant a select number of days during your cycle. By tracking your LH levels and timing your intercourse appropriately, you can maximize your chances of conceiving quickly!

Some important information to know when talking about timing intercourse is the following: Sperm can survive in the female body for around 5 days, while an egg -- once released from the ovary -- only lives 24-36 hours. This means that it is essential that sperm are present in the uterus before the egg is released and at the time of release.

How to get pregnant fast

Using ovulation tests (LH strips) is the best way to know when to time intercourse appropriately. When you utilize LH strips, you can best estimate when you are going to ovulate.

Research has shown that the majority of pregnancies occur when intercourse is performed during a six-day period, ending on the day of ovulation. Some additional studies state that after an LH peak, an egg is released 24-36 hours later, which is why it is also said that there is still a chance to conceive up to a day after ovulation.  

So how does this apply to you?

Easy! Simply test your LH levels daily and log them in the Premom app. After you’ve established your fertile window and confirmed LH peak, you’ll know when to begin timing your intercourse in the future.

Experts recommend performing intercourse at least every other day for the 6 days leading up to ovulation and the day after. You can use your Premom app to find and visualize your LH peak and fertile window (the light purple section). This is when you’ll want to engage in intercourse if you are trying to conceive (TTC).

The more consistent you can be about tracking your LH peak and ensuring intercourse is performed before ovulation, the better chance you have of getting pregnant!

About Author

Dr. Patti Haebe is a results-obsessed naturopathic doctor. She specializes in pre-conception preparation, fertility and hormone optimization. She is committed to root-cause healing through therapeutic supplementation as well as targeted diet and lifestyle modifications.  Her virtual practice, Ocotillo Integrative Medicine, provides integrative consultations worldwide via webcam for those looking to incorporate natural, proactive approaches to their healthcare and fertility journey. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Haebe right through your Premom app! 

References:

• https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/sperm-and-semen-faq#1
• TIMING OF SEXUAL INTERCOURSE IN RELATION TO OVULATION
  Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby ALLEN WILCOX, M.D., PH.D., CLARICE R. WEINBERG, PH.D., AND DONNA D. BAIRD, PH.D

• Comparison between the different methods developed for determining the onset of the LH surge in urine during the human menstrual cycle Sonya Godbert1 • Fernando Miro1 • Chris Shreeves1 • Christian Gnoth2,3 • Sarah Johnson1  Received: 24 February 2015 / Accepted: 20 April 2015 / Published online: 5 May 2015 Ó The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com

• Basal body temperature, ovulation and the risk of conception, with special reference to the lifetimes of sperm and egg J P Royston PMID: 7115870