Yes, it is safe to stop having intercourse now after ovulation and progesterone initiation
Once ovulation has occurred (day 13-14) and progesterone supplementation has begun (day 15), continuing intercourse is neither necessary nor harmful for conception purposes, as the fertile window has closed.
Understanding the Fertile Window
The fertile window is the critical period when conception can occur, spanning approximately 5 days before ovulation to several hours after ovulation 1. This timing is based on:
- Sperm survival: Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days before ovulation 1
- Egg viability: The egg remains viable for fertilization for only several hours after ovulation 1
- Optimal timing: Intercourse is most effective when it occurs in the days leading up to and including the day of ovulation 2
Post-Ovulation Intercourse and Conception
Intercourse after ovulation (beyond day 14 in your case) does not contribute to conception for that cycle because:
- The egg is no longer viable for fertilization several hours after ovulation 1
- The fertile window has definitively closed once ovulation is complete 2
Peri-Implantation Intercourse Safety
A common concern is whether intercourse during the implantation window (days 5-9 after ovulation, which would be approximately days 18-22 in your cycle) might interfere with implantation. The evidence clearly shows that intercourse during the peri-implantation period does not reduce the chance of pregnancy 3:
- A large prospective study of 2,606 cycles found no negative effect of intercourse during days 5-9 post-ovulation on fecundability 3
- The adjusted fecundability ratio for three or more acts of peri-implantation intercourse versus none was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.76-1.13), indicating no harm 3
Progesterone Supplementation Context
Progesterone supplementation starting on day 15 serves to support the luteal phase and potential early pregnancy 4, 5:
- Progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy and supporting implantation 4
- It does not interact negatively with intercourse 5
- The supplementation itself indicates you are in the post-ovulatory phase where conception from new intercourse cannot occur
Clinical Bottom Line
You can safely discontinue intercourse for conception purposes after confirmed ovulation (days 13-14) and progesterone initiation (day 15). The fertile window has closed, and any intercourse after this point:
- Will not contribute to conception for this cycle 1, 2
- Will not harm a potential pregnancy if conception occurred during the fertile window 3
- Is a personal choice based on comfort and preference rather than a medical necessity
Common pitfall to avoid: Do not confuse the timing of intercourse needed for conception (before and during ovulation) with concerns about intercourse during early pregnancy or implantation—the evidence shows post-ovulation intercourse is safe and simply not relevant to that cycle's conception 3.