Intercourse At The Time of Embryo Implantation

Sexual intercourse at the time of embryo implantation may lower the chance of becoming pregnant, according to a study published in Fertility and Sterility. 

A large prospective study from the University of North Carolina, which included a total of 564 women undergoing 1,332 complete cycles, found that having intercourse from five to nine days after ovulation or three to nine days before the end of the menstrual cycle significantly lowered the probability of becoming pregnant. This period of time is also known as the peri–implantation window. 

Specifically, couples who had intercourse on two or more days during the peri-implantation window were 40% less likely to become pregnant compared with couples who did not have intercourse during this same time. 

The probability of pregnancy further decreased with the number of days with intercourse during the peri-implantation window. Sexual intercourse at the time of implantation could theoretically induce a pro-inflammatory response that may interfere with embryo implantation.

How to Improve Chances of Implantation 

There are simple things you can do to increase your chances of embryo implantation, such as eating enough servings of fruits and vegetables. Prenatal vitamins can also benefit women trying to conceive. ​​Folate, which is a B vitamin commonly found in prenatal vitamins, can help prevent birth defects and appears to improve egg quality and IVF success rates. 

If you’re having trouble conceiving, you’re not alone. Fertility Centers of New England is here to help find the right infertility treatment for your needs and put you on the path to pregnancy.