Subfertility affects between 10% to 15% of couples attempting to conceive, therefore it's a very frequent problem. If you've been attempting to conceive on your own, you're probably already aware of the importance of scheduling intercourse during your fertile window. The practice of anticipating ovulation and therefore the fertile phase in order to maximise the chances of pregnancy is known as 'timed intercourse.' Timed intercourse fertility is a low-intervention treatment technique. A timed intercourse cycle is recommended for women who have irregular or absent menstruation, hormonal imbalances during the period that cause spotting, or inexplicable fertility problems.
Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovary, a moment poised for fertilization. It typically occurs midway through the menstrual cycle, around day 14 in a 28-day cycle. However, cycles vary widely among individuals, making it essential to identify your unique pattern.
Several methods can help pinpoint ovulation: Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These over-the-counter tests detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) that precedes ovulation by 24-36 hours, offering a practical signal for optimal timing.
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking: A slight rise in body temperature follows ovulation. Charting your BBT daily can help identify this phase over time, though it’s more of a retrospective tool.
Cervical Mucus Changes: Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes clear, stretchy, and more abundant, resembling egg whites. This change indicates a fertile state.
timed intercourse test is a simple and non-invasive way to evaluate a couple’s fertility potential. It involves having sexual intercourse at specific times during the woman’s ovulation cycle and then collecting a semen sample from the man after the last intercourse. The semen sample is then analyzed in a laboratory to check the number and quality of sperm that are present in the cervical mucus.
The timed intercourse test can help determine if there are any problems with sperm transport, sperm survival, or sperm-cervical mucus interaction. It can also help assess the effectiveness of fertility treatments such as ovulation induction or IUI. The timed intercourse test is usually done in conjunction with other fertility tests, such as hormone levels, ultrasound scans, and tubal patency tests.
Timed intercourse can be a good option for couples who have no major fertility issues and who want to try a natural or low-intervention treatment before moving on to more complex techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Timed intercourse may be recommended for:
However, timed intercourse may not be effective for couples who have:
While timing is crucial, other factors also influence fertility, such as:
Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake can enhance fertility for both partners.
Nutritional Support: A balanced diet of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals supports reproductive health. Consider supplements like folic acid for their added benefits.
Medical Consultation: For those with underlying health conditions or who have been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if over 35), consulting a fertility specialist can identify and address potential hurdles.
Timed intercourse is not always effective or feasible for everyone. Some couples may find it stressful, inconvenient, or emotionally draining. Fortunately, there are other fertility treatment alternatives to timed intercourse that you can explore with your doctor. Here are some of them:
Ovulation induction: This is when you take medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce one or more eggs. This can help if you have irregular or absent ovulation, or if you want to increase the number of eggs available for fertilization.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI): This is when sperm is washed and concentrated and then placed directly into your uterus around the time of ovulation. This can help if you have low sperm count or motility, cervical mucus issues, or unexplained infertility.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): This is when eggs are retrieved from your ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to your uterus or frozen for future use. This can help if you have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, severe male factor infertility, genetic disorders, or failed other treatments.
Medicated Timed Intercourse is another form of Timed intercourse fertility approach. Doctors will prescribe fertility drugs to help stimulate the ovaries to create more eggs (oocytes) than usual. With each extra egg generated, your possibilities of conception will improve. Intrauterine Insemination can be practised along with timed intercourse (IUI). It is ideal for patients who are having trouble getting the sperm to reach the egg.
During the female's menstrual cycle, ultrasound will be used to track follicular development (also known as follicular recruitment) and egg maturation. The nutrients in a woman's cervical fluid aid sperm survival for up to five days. This indicates that sperm can enter the uterus and reach the egg for fertilisation within 5 days of sexual intercourse once the semen is injected into the vagina. Fertility tracking helps in choosing the optimum time for your naturally occurring fertility. This allows couples to engage in sexual activity at the right period when the timed intercourse success rates are high for conceiving.