Women who “program” sex may increase their chances of getting pregnant, according to a review study. Research points out that couples who identify their “fertile window” using specific urine test monitors can improve their chances of pregnancy.
The results were presented at the 38th annual meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. According to researcher Tatjana Gibbons, it was not possible to reach definitive conclusions about other methods of detecting ovulation due to lack of sufficient evidence.
This includes fertility awareness-based methods (FABM), which are used in most menstrual cycle apps for women trying to conceive. Methods include using calendar predictions, identifying changes in vaginal fluid and body temperature from devices with biosensors, which indicate when ovulation is most likely.
“This update suggests a benefit of timed intercourse using urinary ovulation detection. However, more evidence is needed on the adverse effects of timed intercourse and its effectiveness in different groups – such as those with unexplained infertility – before doctors can promote this practice,” says Tatjana, from the University of Oxford and the Department of Nuffield. Reproductive and Women’s Health UK.
Ovulation detection kits are tests that can be performed at home. A test stick is dipped into a urine sample to measure luteinizing hormone (LH) and estrogen levels. Based on detected levels, the monitor reports three fertility levels (low, high and peak) to provide guidance on the “fertile window”.
Scheduled intercourse may be more widely practiced due to an increase in the availability of health apps, including ovulation detection methods. The technology predicts the days in the menstrual cycle when the ovary is most likely to release an egg.
For the analysis, the researchers evaluated the effectiveness of timed intercourse assisted by ovulation detection methods, such as digital apps linked to urine monitors, urine ovulation tests that measure fertility hormones, among other methods.
Experts estimated the impact of scheduled intercourse on live birth rates, pregnancy rates, time to pregnancy and quality of life. The objective was also to investigate any associations between scheduled sexual intercourse and adverse events, including stress that may be caused by lack of spontaneity and pressure from sexual performance.
For the analysis, data from six studies involving 2,374 women who were trying to conceive naturally were considered. Overall, the results showed that timed intercourse, using urinary ovulation detection, was associated with higher pregnancy rates than in couples who were not timing intercourse specifically in the fertile window.
The authors rated the chance of pregnancy through scheduled intercourse at 20% to 28% compared to 18% for spontaneous intercourse.
For couples using ovulation detection, a benefit was shown for those who had been trying to conceive for less than 12 months, but there was not enough evidence to detect a difference in couples over that period.
Source: CNN Brasil
