You think that conceiving a baby is going to be easy; after all, enough happy accidents occur these days that you should get knocked up as soon as you go off the pill, right? In actual fact, fertility is a big sexual health issue, not because it’s all-too easy to conceive, but actually because we humans are worse of in terms of fertility wellness than we think. According to Medica IVF’s Dr David Knight, ‘If you are between 18 and 34 and you and your partner are generally healthy, doctors say more often than not some simple problems – with easy fixes –may be standing in your way.’ Unfortunately, myths and old wives tales can get in the way of you falling pregnant, as well as your sense of wellbeing when you don’t conceive, so let’s take a look at the facts about fertility:
1. When to have sex: You don’t necessarily need to have sex on the day you ovulate. In fact, this may decrease your chances of conceiving as waiting until ovulation means you bypass your most fertile time. Once you’ve ovulated, your egg is only viable for the next 24 hours. Moreover, sperm can live in your reproductive tract for 3-4 days, so having sex two to three times a week means that when you do ovulate there will be sperm waiting! Dr Knight notes, ‘I tell my patients to have regular intercourse, meaning two to three times a week generally starting after your period stops. Specifically I encourage couples NOT to monitor ovulation or use temperature graphs.’
2. It’s never too much: When you’re trying to conceive, don’t worry about having too much sex. Research has shown that having sex every day makes you slightly more likely to conceive than if you had sex every other day – it’s simple maths really. However, don’t put sex on a schedule, as experts warn that this can actually lower your chances of conception. Data suggests that love making on a schedule has a negative effect on your hormones.
3. How position affects conception: Most people believe that the position you use affect conception. The theory goes that lying on your back for 20 minutes after having sex ensures that the sperm stays in the neck of your uterus for longer. However, regardless of the position you take, if you have sex sufficient sperm are deposited in the neck of the womb and are able to begin their journey towards the egg. Position is irrelevant, as is staying on your back.
4. Saving up sperm doesn’t improve potency: The testicles produce millions of sperm every day, which are stored in a tiny sac at the top of each testicle known as the epididymis. Abstaining from sex in order to accumulate a giant sperm load will not up your chances of conception. In fact, storing up sperm may mean the old stuff is of an inferior quality and may even hinder the newly produced, healthier sperm from reaching the egg.
5. Lubricant does more harm than good: You might try lube to help sperm slip, slide and get inside but not only is this ineffectual, it could actually prevent you from getting pregnant. Dr Knight explains that most lubricants change the pH or acid balance inside the vagina, which can affect the motility of sperm and ultimately prevent or reduce your chances of conception. If you still find you need to use a lubricant, avoid petroleum jelly like the plague. Instead, use natural vegetable products, such as olive oil, as these are far less likely to cause any serious problems for the sperm.