Pregnancy is possible any time sperm enters the vagina. But there are things you can do to help increase your chances. Developing a deeper understanding of your menstrual cycle is a great place to start.
Pregnancy-oriented sex often comes down to timing. Although you can have sex as often as you’d like, pregnancy is only possible if sperm fertilizes an egg that successfully implants in the uterine wall.
Pregnancy is most likely to occur during your “fertile window,” which is the five days before and day of ovulation. The closer you are to ovulation, the higher the possibility of pregnancy.
During ovulation, your ovary releases a mature egg. That egg makes its way down the fallopian tube on its way to your uterus. On this route, the sperm will (hopefully) meet up with and fertilize the egg.
Sperm can live in the body for about five days. So if you’re trying to conceive, your goal is to have live sperm in your fallopian tubes when you ovulate.
One way is to count your cycle days and look for the midpoint. Each cycle starts on the first day of menstruation and ends on the day before your next menstrual period starts.
For example, if you have a 28-day cycle, you’ll typically ovulate around day 14. You can also look for changes in vaginal discharge. When you ovulate, the discharge is clear and thick, about the consistency of an egg white.
Your body’s resting temperature, also known as basal body temperature (BBT), will increase slightly after you ovulate. You can measure BBT with a basal body temperature thermometer before you get up in the morning.
If you track your BBT for a few cycles, you may be able to identify patterns in temperature fluctuation. This may help you narrow down your fertile window and estimate what cycle day you generally ovulate.
Drugstores and online retailers sell a variety of over-the-counter ovulation kits. Most look for hormone changes in your urine that can indicate ovulation. Refer to the test kit instructions for more information.
Older research found that sperm have better quality when collected after a 2–3 day period of abstinence. But some data also suggests that people who have penis-in-vagina sex every 1–2 days have higher rates of pregnancy.
Ultimately, the ideal number of times to have sex is what feels comfortable to you. Try to have sex more often, but don’t force yourself into a schedule. It could lead to unnecessary stress.
Doggy style, missionary, and other positions that allow for deeper vaginal penetration put sperm in close proximity to the cervix. This may speed up the journey into the reproductive tract, but there’s no way to know for sure.
Pregnancy is possible in any sex position, including standing and rider-on-top positions, if ejaculate enters the vagina. In some cases, sperm can reach the cervix within 15 minutes.
Though you don’t need to raise your legs in the air after sex, or even lie flat on your back, it can’t hurt.
Some lubricants, such as Astroglide and K-Y Brand Jelly, have been shown to reduce sperm motility and viability. This may somewhat reduce the likelihood of conception, but unless the lube contains spermicide, it will not prevent pregnancy.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require lubricant manufacturers to include information about a product’s potential effect on sperm.
However, the FDA does have a special classification for fertility-friendly lubes: PEB, or “personal lubricant, gamete, fertilization, and embryo compatible.”
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant but are having no luck, consider making an appointment with a primary care doctor or a fertility specialist.
Experts generally recommend that people under age 35 try to conceive naturally for at least 1 year before seeking medical help. Adults 35 or older are advised to make an appointment after 6 months of trying.
But if you have reason to suspect that an underlying health condition could be affecting your fertility, it might be beneficial to make an appointment sooner rather than later. This includes symptoms or a history of:
Erectile dysfunction and conditions that affect the testicles or prostate can also affect fertility. A healthcare professional may be able to recommend certain medications or other therapies to promote fertility.
Try not to pressure yourself or a partner if pregnancy isn’t happening as quickly as you’d like. Getting pregnant can take a few months, especially if you’re in your 30s or 40s.
If you have questions or concerns about your fertility, consider making an appointment with a healthcare professional. There are several pathways forward, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted techniques.