From the Guidelines
To maximize chances of conception, women with regular menstrual cycles should have vaginal intercourse every 1–2 days beginning soon after the menstrual period ends, as this can increase the likelihood of becoming pregnant. This approach is recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and is based on the understanding that fertility rates are highest during the 6-day interval ending on the day of ovulation, characterized by slippery, stretchy cervical mucus and other possible signs of ovulation 1.
Some key points to consider when trying to conceive include:
- Educating the client about peak days and signs of fertility, such as the presence of slippery, stretchy cervical mucus 1
- Discussing methods or devices designed to determine or predict the time of ovulation, such as over-the-counter ovulation kits or digital telephone applications 1
- Avoiding factors that can reduce fertility, such as smoking, consuming alcohol, using recreational drugs, and using most commercially available vaginal lubricants 1
- Noting that fertility rates are lower among women who are very thin or obese, and those who consume high levels of caffeine 1
It's also important to recognize that infertility is commonly defined as the failure of a couple to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or longer of regular unprotected intercourse, and earlier assessment may be justified for women aged >35 years or those with known or suspected uterine or tubal disease 1. However, for couples trying to conceive, the focus should be on maximizing fertility through regular intercourse and healthy lifestyle choices, rather than worrying about the timing of ovulation or potential infertility issues.
From the Research
Optimal Frequency for Conception
To increase the chances of getting pregnant, it's essential to understand the optimal frequency for having sex. The fertile window, which is the time when conception is most likely to occur, typically lasts for six days, ending on the day of ovulation 2, 3, 4.
Timing of Intercourse
- The probability of conception is significantly higher when intercourse occurs during this six-day period, with the highest chance of conception on the day before ovulation 3, 4.
- Conception can occur when intercourse takes place from five days before ovulation to the day of ovulation itself, with probabilities ranging from 0.10 to 0.33 4.
- The survival times of sperm and ovum also play a crucial role, with sperm able to survive for up to 1.4 days and ovum for up to 0.7 days 2.
Identifying the Fertile Window
- Women trying to conceive may benefit from using prospective methods to identify their fertile phase, as many may incorrectly estimate their fertile days 5.
- Methods such as fertility charting of vaginal discharge and commercially available fertility monitors can help identify the fertile window and increase the chances of conception 6.
- These methods can identify a longer window of fertility than urinary luteinizing hormone kits and may lead to higher rates of conception 6.
Key Takeaways
- The optimal frequency for having sex to conceive is during the six-day fertile window, ending on the day of ovulation.
- The timing of intercourse, in relation to ovulation, strongly influences the chance of conception.
- Using prospective methods to identify the fertile window can increase the chances of conception and reduce unnecessary intervention and cost.