About Our Experts
Our team of experts will answer all of your questions!
Fertility
Dr. Joseph Hill
Dr. Debbra Keegan
Obstetrics and Midwives
Dr. Ashley Roman
Denise Gershwin
Maria Kammerer
Pediatrics
Dr. Cheryl Wu
Dr. Vicki Papadeas
Dr. Paula Prezioso
Adoption
Dawn Davenport
Nutrition
Nicole Meadow
Fitness
Tracey Mallett
Sleep
Conner Herman & Kira Ryan
Parenting
Lisa Peri
Tammy Gold
Breastfeeding
Andi Silverman
Style
Cynthia Rowley
Baby Planning
Melissa Gould & Ellie Miller
Sex
Pam Spurr


hot topics

Q: What's the best time for sex?

Posted Wednesday, August 29, 2007 9:54 PM

Q: My husband and I are having sex all the time in an attempt to get pregnant. We’re having fun, but not much luck. When should we be having sex to make this happen?

A: Think of your monthly cycle in two parts: B.O. (before ovulation) and A.O. (after ovulation). You’re most fertile two to three days B.O. and 12 to 24 hours A.O. But, since you can’t pinpoint exactly when ovulation occurs, it's best to build in a little cushion. Sperm can live in your reproductive tract for three days, but your egg only lives 12 to 24 hours A.O. Ideally, then, sperm will be in place to greet the egg as it arrives. That means figuring out when you’re likely to ovulate, and starting the sex romp five or six days prior. Don’t go overboard, though. Limit yourselves to sex every other day, because too much sex can deplete your husband's sperm count.

QA Index

 

Posted by Paula K
Filed under: ,

Comments

re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

DH and I tried for 3 years... we always thought you should have sex every other day- our new Dr told us when we went back on Clomid that once we take the ovulations test and get a positive result we should have sex every 12 hours.- Well, it worked we got pregnant the very first month!!! So my recommendation is every 12 hours for about 3 days. Its exhausting yes, but the result is SO worth it. Our little girl will be here in January.

Posted by winanspug    Saturday, September 08, 2007 9:42 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

We were trying for about 4 months when I finally decided to rent a Clearblue Easy.  I think using a fertility monitor was a good choice for us,  because it took the guesswork out of trying to figure out when I was ovulating.  So for 24.99 a month,  I rented,  and got pregnant right away!  I got it from www.fertiityrentals.com  Take your vitamins,  especially the folic acid & good luck!

Posted by hurricane99    Tuesday, September 11, 2007 1:50 AM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

My DH and I were not trying. We had sex probably a total of 4 times the month I conceived.  I heard that when someone is really TTC, then to have sex every other day, so there is a good supply of sperm built up, instead of depleting it everyday. Also, keep a good record on a calender of when you are ovulating and go for it then. Good luck!

Posted by blondybride    Thursday, September 13, 2007 5:03 AM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

My husband and I were having sex at least once a day and the dr. told is this was too much.  As soon as we spaced it out a little bit, it worked!  We'd been trying for almost a year and within two months of spacing it out I got pregnant.

Posted by lauramcc    Friday, September 21, 2007 10:46 AM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

I cant figure this out. Some people say its best to have sex everyday & others say every other day. we've tried both but nothing yet :(

Posted by ttehrani    Tuesday, February 05, 2008 9:06 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

We have been TTC for 12 months now and nothing.  We've tried both - every other day, every day, multiple times in a day, a few times a month.  Nothing has worked.  I had my hormone levels tested and that was all normal.  A friend got pg 3 days after going off the pill, another friend got pg after 2 miscarriages and nearly 2 years after going off the pill.  I don't think trying every day or every other day makes a real difference.

Posted by mart0551    Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:13 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

I am confused too. We have been trying TTC for about 4 months. We space it out, every day....and nothing. I have heard evry 12 hrs. The say that it takes a man about a month to replenish "stock" and weeks to "loose steam". Best wishes to all that are trying. Hang in there it will happen

Posted by eflores    Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:17 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

My husband and I are trying to get pregnant but I need to be pregnant by june in order for his schedual at work to work out for him to be there. Is there any thing we can do for the time crunch. We havent been trying actively but we havent not been doing anything. Help?

Posted by ~*Sarah*~    Saturday, March 29, 2008 11:33 AM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

I read someone else's response in which they said they had sex every 12 hours and it worked for them.  For the first two months we tried, we had sex every other day but I thought I'd change things up a bit and try "two-a-days" and it worked!  I just got my first BFP yesterday afternoon!

Posted by ltmommy    Thursday, April 17, 2008 6:27 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

thank you for the help but I know this sounds stupid but  what does bfp stand for I am not in with the codes haha. I know ttc but thats it.

Posted by ~*Sarah*~    Thursday, April 17, 2008 8:22 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

BFP- Big Fat Positive !

Posted by BirthDoula2B    Sunday, April 20, 2008 10:25 PM


re: Q: What's The Best Time For Sex?

lol thanks I cant wait to get that I hope soon well see on the 7(keep your fingers crossed)

Posted by ~*Sarah*~    Tuesday, April 22, 2008 8:33 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

My Husband and I have done what the Doctors have reccomended, what the internet has reccomended and what friends and family has reccomended... from everyother day, to every day, to stop trying and just "let it happen" and in a year, nothing! They always say when your young that "alls it takes it once" and at age 16 my mom was roaring to put me on BC... I got preggers on Bc @ 17 and miscarried... and I havnt been able to get that way again... off BC... We have done it AM,PM, noon, midnight, 2am... 5pm, 11am... nothing... I hope someone has advice that will WORK!

Posted by xorusty05ox    Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:21 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

My husband & I are on our honeymoon & TTC. I'm 38 yrs. old & healthy with regular periods, but I'm concerned that my age will make it more difficult for us to conceive. Anyone have this problem??

Posted by arlynes    Monday, June 30, 2008 7:51 AM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

DH and I have been TTC since June and we're both young and healthy.  AF is irregular but comes every month,so when I saw my OB this week for my yearly I asked her and she said that most healthly couples do conceive within the first year but it takes just as many the whole year as just one month.  She said we could continue just winging it as we have been so far or because of the irregularity of my cycles I could try an OTC ovulation kit.  SHe said to start using it the 10th day after AF begins and then use it everyday until it indicates that ovulation is imminent and then it would be good to TTC the next day (I assume just once because she didn't say otherwise) and then there would be a good chance.  This method would literally only require once a month, lol but where's the fun in that.  I've decided to wing it one more month and then try that-it's always worth a shot.

Posted by MrsKueffer    Friday, September 12, 2008 12:46 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

we were trying really hard since June, and no baby. Then, with what's been happening in the world at large, we were trying to sell our one bedroom condo, no buyers, stuff happening with both of our jobs, family stuff on both sides... we decided that this wasn't the right time and we should wait on a family. Needless to say, we got pregnant that month.

So, our advice is to RELAX, enjoy each other and see what happens!

Posted by tuxcat    Saturday, November 01, 2008 3:39 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

In addition to the predictors and fertility monitors, check out the OV watch.  You put it on within the first 3 days of your cycle, wear it only while sleeping, and it tracks without any additional effort on your part.  It tells you 5 days in advance of your ovulation so you can get started on having the sperm "waiting" for your egg.  Check it out at www.ovwatch.com.

Posted by JKLBug    Saturday, November 22, 2008 6:02 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

what does DH stand for it is driving me crazy lol

Posted by vally1129    Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:28 AM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

LOL::: well that is a good tip!! Thanks

Posted by Hill's Wifey    Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:51 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

dh = dear husband

Posted by uvalori85    Thursday, December 04, 2008 5:17 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

i dont know what we are doing wrong. We have been TTC for almost 2 and a half years now. We have tried everything from everyday, to barely ever to waiting the 7-10 days after my p...nothing has worked. I took prenatals and everything...is there anything MORE we can do?

Posted by khank9953    Friday, December 05, 2008 12:22 PM


re: Q: What's the best time for sex?

My husband & I are TTC our 2nd baby.  The first time my DH & I were TTC my friend told us to start trying 10 days after my period since I didn’t know when I ovulate.  We conceive right away but unfortunately had a miscarriage.  After a month we TTC again & I got pregnant.  Another thing I did was that every morning I would take my BBT.  The digital thermometer cost me $10 at CVS.  Once I took my BBT I would log it in at www.fertilityfriend.com.  This website is very helpful.  Since I still don't know exactly when I ovulate my DH & I are having sex every other day.  This is going to sound weird but I also place a pillow underneath my back & have my legs up in the air for at least 20 minutes which I also did the first time we were TTC.  It worked for me, my beautiful son is now 13 months.  The only thing that I’m not doing this time around is taking my BBT.  This is our 2nd month trying so will see what happens.  It’s amazing what we have to do to conceive =) I hope that everyone gets pregnant soon.  

Posted by Mamita1028    Thursday, December 11, 2008 1:41 PM


Anonymous comments are disabled