A patient asked me this question yesterday so I thought to write it up.
“When is the best time for a woman to have sex if she wants to get pregnant?”
Every month the uterus, especially its lining, undergoes changes in preparation to receive and support a fertilized egg. If sex and fertilization occur then the uterus continues to support the fertilized egg which becomes an embryo and eventually a fetus. As a result the woman will not have periods while pregnant. If fertilization doesn’t occur then this lining of the uterus is shed as the menses.
Each woman’s period is different in the cycle length and duration.
It’s easier to get pregnant if your periods are regular and you are ovulating. Regular periods mean the number of days between the start of each period are about the same and you have them when expected. You know you are ovulating when you experience symptoms of PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome). Symptoms of PMS happen when you ovulate i.e release an egg
So, when do you have sex if you want to get pregnant? Do this:
1. Keep track of your periods. Find a phone app or use pen and paper and keep a diary. Record dates of period start and finish. Do this for 3 periods to recognize pattern.
2. Record the number of days from the start of one period to the start of the next.
3. Once you know how long it is between each period i.e the number of days, you can predict when your next period will start.
4. Once you can predict when your next period will start, you can predict your fertile days.
5. Your fertile days are the days around ovulation, which is 14 days before the first day of your next period.
6. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, time intercourse to happen 2-3 days before and during ovulation so that you have the best chance of sperm meeting the released egg.
Let’s use an example.
You record your period dates and find that you have a period start every 32 days which lasts 4 days. Your cycle length is then 32 days with a duration of 4 days. Your period this month started on 13th April. With this, count 32 days from the start and you predict that your next period will start on 15th May. Therefore, your fertile days/ovulation will be 14 days before the 15th, which is the 1st of May. Aim for 3 days before and after ovulation, this is to account for variability, also sperm is able to survive for 3 days in the female genital tract. So, the days to aim for here are 28th April to 4th May; that’s your best chance.
Other things you and your partner can do to increase your chances of conception.
1. Lose weight by eating better and exercising. Being overweight can affect periods in women and sperm quality in men, not to mention cause erectile dysfunction.
2. Stop eating fatty foods
3. Stop smoking, alcohol and fizzy drinks
4. Men stop masturbating, let your sperm count and semen quality improve
Note: you can also use this to avoid getting pregnant by having sex outside of the fertile days. This is sometimes called the ovulation method of family planning.
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