Best Time to Have Sex to Get Pregnant

1. Introduction to Fertility and Conception

The journey to conception is one of life’s most amazing experiences! It is emotional, exhilarating, and empowering, as well as intimidating. When planning a pregnancy, there are many factors to consider and many questions to ask. Understanding how fertility works and when conception is most likely to occur are at the top of the list. Both male and female fertility are influenced by a variety of factors, including hormonal, genetic, lifestyle, environmental, and emotional. The interplay between these factors is complex, and approaches to enhancing fertility widely vary. Much of this advice is based on myths and often perpetuates misinformation.

To avoid the pitfalls of misinformation, we invite you to consider your own habits, history, and medical conditions to increase your likelihood of conception based on the latest, scientifically validated information. This publication explores how the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and timing of intercourse all coalesce to influence whether or not conception is likely to occur. In this introduction, readers are briefly introduced to the basic concepts related to reproductive physiology and the physiology of ovulation. It ends by giving a general understanding of what to expect after reading this publication.

2. Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation

The menstrual cycle is an approximately monthly series of events in the body that produces an egg and prepares the body to accept and nurture a fertilized egg. All of these changes are referred to as a woman’s menstrual cycle. The cycle is a problem because menstruation marks the beginning of a new menstrual cycle. The length of one overall cycle is usually 24–35 days for most women, and the length varies from cycle to cycle. The following points describe the four phases of the menstrual cycle: 1. The follicular phase begins on the first day of menstruation and lasts until ovulation, which is considered Day 1. This phase is characterized by a sharp increase in estrogen, which has chemical effects on the mucus in the reproductive tract and continues to increase, and a sharp decrease in progesterone. The follicular phase ends with ovulation.

The menstrual cycle is caused primarily by small ovarian follicles, which are tiny, fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that grow under the influence of the follicle-stimulating hormone, which is secreted by the pituitary gland. Only one of these follicles will mature and release its egg, while the leftover follicles will quickly degenerate. Increasing levels of estrogen in the body then cause a number of positive responses in the woman’s body. The egg will grow and mature inside the follicle of the ovary, where it is retained. The thickness of the endometrial lining, the layer of tissue to which a fertilized egg is attached in the uterus, will again rise. Ovulation marks the beginning of the luteal phase. This phase of the menstrual cycle is noted by two hormonal shifts. Most prominently, the increase of luteinizing hormone in the urine is a helpful indicator of ovulation.

2.1. Understanding the Menstrual Cycle

The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal. The primary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle are estrogen and progesterone; it is the interplay of these hormones that regulates the cycle and, as a result, fertility. In this guide, we focus most on the ovulatory phase, where the egg is released, as ovulation and the likelihood of getting pregnant are more connected. The reference range is quite broad, between 23 and 35 days, which means that women may experience a cycle that is right for them even though it might be slightly outside the average.

The average length of a menstrual cycle in most adult women is between 23 and 35 days and tends not to change significantly between cycles. Having a menstrual cycle of this length indicates that the reproductive system is functioning properly. If the menstrual cycle is longer or shorter, this does not necessarily indicate health problems. The menstrual cycle is instrumental to basic conversations around fertility and contraception. By better understanding how your individual cycle works and the intricate details of your considerable and significant reproductive health, you can use this information to help with your family planning. There are easy ways to monitor your cycle and signs of ovulation to plan or avoid pregnancy. Ovulation charting, also called fertility charting, is the process of tracking your menstrual cycle to give you a better idea of when you are ovulating, or most fertile, and when you are not ovulating, or least fertile. Tracking your menstrual cycle can also give you an idea of your overall fertility.

2.2. Ovulation: Key Concepts

Ovulation is central to the process of becoming pregnant. A variety of hormonal fluctuations occur during each menstrual cycle. These changes coordinate the shedding of the uterine lining and the preparation and release of an egg from the ovary—ovulation. In response to hormones made and released by the pituitary gland in the brain, one estrogen-dominant follicle develops in the ovary. The hypothalamus releases GnRH to signal the pituitary to make and release two additional hormones. Several days following ovulation, the spent follicle transforms into a cystic corpus luteum, which begins to make the hormone progesterone along with reduced levels of estrogen. The combined effects of estrogen and progesterone block further follicle development for the duration of a typical cycle.

In most women, ovulation will occur between 12 and 16 days before the start of the next cycle. Since the lifespan of an egg after ovulation is 12 to 24 hours, the most fertile period of the cycle is the approximately six days leading up to and ending on the day of ovulation. Some women may feel physical signs of ovulation, such as slight cramping, increased sensation of taste, smell, and vision, and a sweet taste in the mouth. Many men and women learn about ovulation mucus or experience it as a sign that ovulation is occurring. A day following ovulation, an LH surge is detected in urine. Despite the day of the LH surge, ovulation almost never occurs until one to two days later.

3. Fertility Window

The fertility window refers to the small part of the menstrual cycle when sexual intercourse is likely to result in pregnancy. Knowing when this occurs can help couples conceive more quickly. The fertility window includes the days in the menstrual cycle when a woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has intercourse. The fertility window runs from about three days before ovulation until the day of ovulation. This is when a man’s sperm may become able to fertilize a fertile woman’s egg. To calculate your fertility window, you need to know the length of your average menstrual cycle and the date of your next expected period. Couples' fertility windows can occur at different times in their menstrual cycles. It usually happens about 10 to 16 days after the first day of the woman's period. However, it depends on the length of the woman's menstrual cycle and whether she is able to predict when she will ovulate. Most women can't predict exactly when they will ovulate. Many body signs, such as breast tenderness or abdominal cramps, or feelings, such as butterflies in the stomach, are not reliable indicators of ovulation. Some women can learn to feel a pain at the midpoint of their cycle, but this is not a reliable way to predict ovulation. Every woman is different, and the length of the fertility window varies greatly from one woman to the next. Therefore, each woman needs to test her fertility window. A couple may not be able to get pregnant if the quality of the sperm or eggs is very poor, or if the woman’s tubes are blocked, or if there are problems with implantation of the fertilized egg and the sustaining of the pregnancy in the uterus. Also, many medical conditions can affect the woman’s ovulating time; women need medical help if their periods are not regular.

3.1. Defining the Fertile Window

The concept of the "fertile window" defines the time each month when a person with ovaries is most likely to become pregnant. During this period, there is anywhere from a 15-25% chance of conception in a menstrual cycle, assuming normal sperm parameters and no known fertility issues. Due to the logistics of human reproduction, the frequency and timing of sexual activity during the fertile window are two factors that have been shown to make a significant difference in chances for conception each menstrual cycle. In simple terms, this means increasing the overall probability of getting pregnant from one in nine to one in three or four.

There are several methods that hormonally cycling people can use to estimate the timing of their fertile window. A standard method used is day of the cycle estimation, i.e., 14 days before the expected date of menstruation (a method often used with the assumption of typical cycle length). Various resources promote the use of apps or menstrual calendars to predict the fertile window using this approach. Apps and Bluetooth-linked fertility tracking technology are tools that can help the user identify signs of ovulation by looking back at similar patterns found in other menstrual cycles. Other methodologies involve observing signs of ovulation itself, like tracking basal body temperature, cervical mucus, or LH levels from urine ovulation predictor kits, which tend to make predictions only at short notice before the likely ovulation day.

3.2. Factors Affecting Fertility Timing

In general, factors influencing the timing of fertility can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic factors are often physiological; for example, the commonly cited decline in fertility with age is due to oocyte quality, a manifestation of ovarian aging. Hormonal health can influence fertility timing; for example, polycystic ovary syndrome is marked by delayed ovulation and corresponds with later fertility in women. Extrinsic factors include lifestyle choices and environmental variables, such as smoking and using opioids.

Stress can delay ovulation, although to what extent is variable, and when ovulation does occur, stress can increase the chances of luteal-phase spotting, a negative indicator of fertility. Diet is a factor associated with fertility; for example, increasing diets associated with increasing meat consumption may render women infertile. The phytoestrogens in plant foods are thought to mimic estrogens and, with their analogue effects, may particularly impact conception probabilities in older women with fewer qualitatively healthy oocytes. Obesity is correlated with early puberty and an earlier menopause. Exercise affects the interplay of energy availability and energy needs, and extreme body composition, especially for elite athletes, can lead to secondary amenorrhea. Many of these variables interact with each other and involve multiple feedback and feed-forward loops. It is, however, a simplified version of reproductive processes to say that they all feed into ovulation. Hormonal cycles are known to be disrupted only in extreme cases of bodily compositions or exercise regimes, with fertility typically compromised when these cause a disruption to menstrual cycles. A consequence is that the exact nature and degree of these impacts is uncertain and may vary based on other co-factors. The modern woman and her partner, seeking to optimize the probability of starting or adding to their family, should be aware of these factors for more informed decision-making.

4. Best Practices for Conception

• • Timing of Intercourse - Having regular sex is usually sufficient for healthy, young couples to increase their chances of conception. If you can, have sex around these times. The three days leading up to the ovulation day were found to be the most fertile. 
• • Keep Track of Ovulation - There are signs and symptoms of ovulation. This includes changes in body temperature, vaginal discharge, and cervical position. You can get ovulation predictor kits that measure the surge in hormones that indicate the lead-up to ovulation, or use details of your menstrual cycle to estimate which date you will ovulate. - Keep a symptoms diary for a few months. You should be able to spot a cycle where everything seems to match up to see which days you are probably at your most fertile. 
• • Medical Checks - Before you start trying to conceive, you should both consider having a medical check-up. You should go to the fertility clinic after 6 months to a year of trying with no success if you are a woman aged 36 or over, or after two years if you are younger. These tests and checks are performed to identify any more ways to boost the odds of conception as well as progression into a full-term pregnancy. 
• • Lifestyle, Dietary, and Environmental Advice - Before you try to conceive, it is a good idea to improve your health. This will help to support a developing baby and also make it more likely to get pregnant in the first place. - It is important to eat a balanced diet. Talking to a GP can be beneficial if you want any advice on what to eat. Keeping to a healthy weight can make it easier to become pregnant. So, if you are overweight or obese, trying to lose weight may improve your chances of conception. Note that being strong, exercising, and having regular periods does not always mean you are a healthy weight. 

Stress can lower your chances of getting pregnant. Each month, the time to conceive is around 20%. If you are under substantial stress, it is easy to miss your fertility window. Make sure that you are resting, getting enough sleep, and engaging in some regular walking, moderate exercise, or relaxation activities to build a fertility-boosting routine. - Don't smoke - quitting is advisable as smoking and conception are very bad bedfellows; encourage your partner to stop too. With every cigarette you smoke, fertility rates plummet. If you smoke, e-cigarettes are a better option for reducing the harms associated with smoked tobacco. While we discuss IVF, e-cigarettes have not been found to be particularly harmful to fertility or the baby's health.

4.1. Timing Intercourse for Conception

Timed intercourse is essential. Ovulation may be estimated fairly well by calendar methods, and the regular periods of most women occur about 14 days after ovulation. The time from the beginning of the menses to ovulation is longer and more variable (mean: 14.8 days; range: 9-20 days). Women with 28-day cycles ovulate on the 14th day, but few women have 28-day cycles. Cycles are not regular about 40% of the time, and they are not 28 days except about 10% of the time. Therefore, the best chance of conceiving is during the “fertility window” that includes the five days (4-5 days both before and after ovulation). This “window” may begin suddenly in women with irregular cycles. Daily or near-daily intercourse is suggested during this window.

How to time the intercourse Several techniques are available to confirm ovulation, including examination of serum luteinizing hormone levels, urine LH surge, basal body temperature recording, and the endometrial biopsy. Some ovulation detection kits are useful and easy to use by collecting urine in the morning. Observation of fertile signs is also a simple and easy way to determine when a woman may be about to ovulate. It may be difficult for a partner to have intercourse just when the fertile signs are present, but sex on the days when the signs are observed will increase the chance of pregnancy. Men experience a surge of testosterone when they are with their partner in the pre-ovulatory phase. Both men and women are less amorous when the chance of conception is low. Couples are torn between wanting a baby and needing to prove their love, and find that sex loses its magic under pressure. It is important to remember that couples are a team in trying to conceive. They should talk about their reproductive goals and work together to achieve this purpose. It is essential to seek help when needed.

4.2. Additional Tips for Enhancing Fertility

Additional Tips for Enhancing Fertility. 1. Consider your lifestyle. What do you eat? Are you getting enough activity? How well are you managing your stress? Even those steps not directly related to fertility can impact reproductive health, so they should not be dismissed. Consume fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Opt for healthy or "good" fats, like those contained in nuts and seeds, avocados, and olive oil. Engage in regular physical activity, consume a diet devoid of low-nutrient foods, and never smoke. Manage your weight, stress levels, and stay away from illegal drugs. Consider integrating any necessary support or guidance in making these lifestyle changes through a mental health or nutrition professional. Folic acid and vitamins. In addition to vitamins consumed as part of the diet, taking a prenatal vitamin of 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily is advisable. Not all experts believe supplementation beyond folate is required but advise speaking to your health care provider about other vitamins and antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10. 2. Prioritize sexual health. In addition, it is strongly recommended that you and your partner have a complete sexual health assessment. Sexual health means both partners should engage in a conversation about their sexual history, the presence of any sexually transmitted infections, and if testing should be performed. Additionally, current contraception use and evaluation of the reproductive systems and organs for any potential health concerns will be performed. This is a holistic approach, one that treats and involves partners as a unit. Finally, integrating and assessing the reproductive status and hormones of each partner is important. In women anticipating pregnancy, regular birth control methods such as patches or pills can often allow for immediate return to fertility, though in some cases hormonal contraception delays regular menstrual cycles for a short period. For men who previously used condoms, fertility return is also probable.

5. Conclusion and Key Takeaways

8. Conclusion We hope that the information provided in this guide has offered some truly beneficial insights both into the mechanisms behind conception and the strategies that can help to maximize one’s chances of delivering a baby. Here are a few main points to remember: A woman’s menstrual cycle and the process of ovulation are the biological foundations of conception. In many cases, underlying health issues can lead to abnormalities in a woman’s menstrual cycle, blocking the process of ovulation in doing so. Keeping track of your menstrual cycle, and therefore the period when ovulation is most likely to occur, can be a key strategy to successfully conceive. Once an egg is released, it lives in a female body for twelve to twenty-four hours. This so-called “fertility window” (the days before and after ovulation) is the best period to schedule intercourse to maximize the odds of conception. Having sex every day, for instance, offers no additional benefits over having sex during the “fertility window,” as sperm can survive up to five days. In addition to these basic biological facts, healthy lifestyle choices and a balanced diet can also further support the possibility of conception. Enjoy the journey and seek emotional support if you need it. For some, the road to baby-making is like a rollercoaster ride. It’s an emotional, life-changing period that can sometimes cause stress and anxiety. As we’ve mentioned before, while it’s not the only reason why it might be challenging to get pregnant, emotional upheaval can certainly make matters worse. Don’t be afraid to seek emotional support should you need it, whether it’s from a professional or simply from a trusted friend or family member. While the entire family planning process can leave you feeling powerless, we hope the information in this guide can help you feel a little bit more in control.