Can you have too much sex when trying to get pregnant?
Lucy Abrams-Husso
Dr. Danielle Perro
Follows NC° Editorial Policy
At Natural Cycles, our mission is to empower you with the knowledge you need to take charge of your health. At Cycle Matters, we create fact-checked, expert-written content that tackles these topics in a compassionate and accessible way. Read more...
Key takeaways
-
Timing sex during your fertile window increases the likelihood of getting pregnant
-
Trying to have sex every one or two days during your fertile window gives you and your partner the best possible chance of conceiving
-
It can take multiple cycles to get the timing right, and knowing your cycle and fertile days can help you become pregnant faster
If you’re trying to conceive [TCC], deciding when and how much sex to have can be top of mind. In this article, we’ll discuss one commonly asked question – how much sex is too much sex when you’re trying to get pregnant? The short answer is: no amount is too much, but the ideal amount is what works for you and your partner. We’ll dive into the hows and whys of timing sex, sex frequency, and what doctors and researchers have found. We’ll also cover some frequently asked questions about sex and pregnancy planning — and how Natural Cycles can help you get pregnant faster.
When to have sex if you’re trying to conceive
Did you know there are only six days every cycle when it’s possible to get pregnant? This timeframe is known as the fertile window [1]. The fertile window is calculated based on the fact that an egg cell can live up to 24 hours inside your reproductive system after ovulation, while sperm can live for up to five days prior to this. This makes the fertile window six days long in total.
If you're trying to conceive, identifying your fertile window every cycle and trying to predict your date of ovulation is important. There are many different ways to estimate this window, including calendar or rhythm, ovulation strips, measuring your basal body temperature, and monitoring your cervical mucus.
Combining different methods can increase the likelihood of identifying your fertile window accurately. For example, Natural Cycles is an FDA-cleared app that analyses your unique cycle data alongside regular temperature tracking to predict your fertile window. The NC° app also suggests when to use ovulation strips — these are optional but can give the fertility algorithm an extra boost when it comes to finding your fertile days. Natural Cycles has been shown to be more accurate in estimating your fertile window compared to calendar-based methods [2].
How often should you have sex to get pregnant?
Frequency of intercourse if you’re trying to conceive is individual to you and your partner, and what feels comfortable (and pleasurable) to you both. It’s important to remember that while identifying your fertile window can help you become pregnant, sometimes more fertility knowledge can increase anxiety levels for both you and your partner [3]. Being aware of this and keeping lines of communication open with your partner can help you both find a path to planning your pregnancy that’s right for you.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine suggests that chances of becoming pregnant are highest when you have sex every one or two days during the fertile window [4]. Board certified OB-GYN and reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellow, Dr. Adriana Wong agrees:
Studies have shown that intercourse every one to two days during the fertile window results in pregnancy rates that are very similar to daily intercourse. My advice is usually to focus on a frequency that feels realistic and sustainable. - Dr. Wong, Natural Cycles Medical Advisor.
You might also be wondering about too much or too little sex affecting your chances of getting pregnant. Despite widely held misconceptions, current research has shown that frequent ejaculations do not reduce the potency of sperm and do not adversely affect your chances of becoming pregnant [4]. If it feels comfortable for you and your partner to have sex more frequently, the science suggests it’s fine to do so!.
On the other end of the spectrum, studies have shown that not ejaculating for more than ten days can affect the quantity and quality of sperm. This does not necessarily mean that the sperm will be unable to fertilize an egg, but it’s good to keep in mind if you and your partner are trying to conceive and having sex less frequently. Remember no matter how much sex you are (or aren’t) having, it only takes one sperm to fertilize an egg. [4]
Is having sex twice a day during ovulation a good idea?
Research suggests that having sex throughout your fertile window is more effective in increasing the likelihood of pregnancy than trying to target sex during ovulation. In fact, one study found that the chances of pregnancy for a woman in her 30s are 30% if she has sex two days before ovulation, 7% having sex on the day of ovulation, and only 1.5% having sex two days after ovulation [2].
That said, if you’re using ovulation tests to help plan a pregnancy, then having sex at least once after a positive ovulation test offers your best possibility of conceiving. If you and your partner would like to have sex more than once, it should not harm your chances of getting pregnant.
What else to consider when trying to conceive
While it’s easy to think about timing sex to maximise your chances of pregnancy — it’s not the only thing that matters. There are a number of other factors that affect your fertility and how long it can take to conceive.
Age
While there’s no ‘best age’ to try and get pregnant, female fertility tends to peak in our 20s and decline from our mid thirties until menopause. Studies have shown that at age 30 there is a 75% chance of conceiving within one year and that this rate falls to around 44% by age 40 [5]. At the same time, there are reasons why many of us will wait to start a family. Personal, cultural, economic and social factors have all increased the age at which many couples begin planning pregnancy [6].
Health conditions
Certain conditions like polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS) and endometriosis can make conceiving more difficult. PMOS can cause irregular cycles, which can make predicting your fertile window and timing sex challenging. Endometriosis, on the other hand, can cause inflammation and adhesions that can make it harder to become pregnant. If you have any health condition that may affect your fertility, it’s a good idea to speak with a health care provider for additional advice and support.
Stress
Trying to conceive can be a source of pressure and stress for you and your partner. At the same time, keeping stress in check is important for our overall health. Reducing stress can actually help you get pregnant, because stress can impact your menstrual cycle by stopping or delaying ovulation [7]. Of course, managing stress can be easier said than done, but it’s still a factor to keep in mind.
Alcohol & drug use
It’s widely known that limiting caffeine and abstaining from alcohol are recommended during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Studies have also shown that both these substances can affect your chances of becoming pregnant, with increased consumption linked to decreased probability of conception and implantation [8]. While the occasional glass of wine or beer is unlikely to cause concern, being mindful of your intake can help increase your chances of conception.
Diet & exercise
Eating a balanced diet and getting enough exercise helps your mind and body prepare for pregnancy. While healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes, having a body weight that is too low or too high can make it harder to become pregnant and is also associated with certain pregnancy complications [9]. Finally, doctors also recommend adding folic acid supplements to your diet in advance of trying to conceive [10].
Get to know your fertility indicators
Doctors and researchers agree that familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms of ovulation can help increase your chances of getting pregnant. Not everyone will notice or feel the same symptoms, but knowing what to be on the look out for can help you recognize when you’re ovulating. Here are five of the most common signs:
- Basal body temperature increases just after ovulation, triggered by hormone changes during our menstrual cycle [11]
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels increase 24 to 48 hours before ovulating and can be detected using ovulation strips, or kits [12]
- Cervical mucus becomes clearer, stretchier, and more watery (like an egg white) as we enter our fertile window [13]
- Energy levels and libido can both increase for some women in the days leading up to ovulation, falling as your period approaches [14]
- Ovulation pain, or Mittelschmerz, can be a sharp pain or a dull, cramp-like ache experienced during ovulation [15]
Planning pregnancy with Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles works by using information about your own menstrual cycle, using your unique temperature data to calculate your fertile window with greater accuracy. Compatible with wearables like an Oura ring, Garmin, or Apple Watch, you can effortlessly monitor your cycle and time sex when it matters. Couples who use Natural Cycles to plan a pregnancy conceive in three cycles on average [16]. Why not see if NCº Plan Pregnancy can help you and your partner conceive today?
Did you enjoy reading this article?
Frequently asked questions
