When a woman wants to become pregnant, ovulation is a priority.
Identifying the exact moment of the woman’s ovulation is something that can be very stressful to many couples, who may even keep track of what they should have intercourse, creating a lot of anxiety.
Sergio Pasqualini, the Director of the Science Department at the Halitus Medical Institute in Buenos Aires and the President of the Repro Foundation, explains three of the most common misconceptions held by people about ovulation and pregnancy
Is it true that you have to have sex every day in order to become pregnant? No.
“Having frequent intercourse is beneficial because it helps improve the function of the reproductive system and, among other things, increases the blood flow of the pelvis area. This can benefit the development of the follicle and therefore improve the quality of the egg. Also, after ovulation, having sex can help prepare the endometrium – the inner layer of the uterus – to receive the embryo.”
In order to become pregnant, do you have to have sex at the exact day and time of ovulation? Not always.
“Ovulation occurs in an instant. It is when the follicle opens and the egg releases in order to be received by the fallopian tube, which moves it through to the uterus. As it travels, it will encounter sperm. After ovulation, the egg has a half-life of no more than 16 to 20 hours.”
(Related article: Stopping birth control pills leads to an imbalance in women’s bodies)
Is having intercourse because you have to the same effect as having passionate intercourse? Yes.
“Having passionate intercourse during periovulation leads to greater pelvic irrigation and secretes endorphins, which help increase vaginal lubrication and the secretion of cervical mucus. This facilitates the ascent of sperm and allows for substances to reach the follicle that can be beneficial to the final maturation of the egg. In other words, having intercourse without passion can lead to pregnancy, but there is a greater chance of it if the sexual encounter is positive.”
