EnglishOvulation
It is estimated that 10-15% of couples experience fertility problems during their reproductive life.1 There are only a limited number of days during a woman’s menstrual cycle when sexual intercourse might lead to pregnancy. The duration of the fertile period depends on the life span of both the sperm and the egg. Typically the egg is viable for up to 24 hours after ovulation.2 The life span of the sperm is much more variable and depends on a number of factors including the type and quality of cervical mucus present at the time of intercourse. In the presence of fertile mucus, sperm typically survives for 3-5 days.3
Women can, therefore, only conceive on around 5-6 days of their cycle and are most likely to conceive on the 2 days of peak fertility – the day of ovulation and the preceding day. Women who are trying to become pregnant should target their sexual intercourse around the time of ovulation to maximise their chances of conception3. Luteinizing hormone testing (LH) is a good indicator for predicting the 2 most fertile days in a woman's cycle and can therefore be used as an aid to successful conception.
1. Evers J.L. (2002). Female Subfertility. Lancet 360(9327): 151-159
2. Testart J. & Frydman R. (1982). Minimum time lapse between luteinising hormone surge of hCG administration and follicular rupture. Fertil Steril 37: 50-53
3. Wilcox A.J., Weinburg C.R. & Baird D.D. (1995). Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation. N Engl J Med 333(23): 1517-1521