Timed Intercourse

Timed intercourse

What is Timed Intercourse?

Timed intercourse, also known as scheduled intercourse, is considered the simplest way to treat difficulty conceiving. It is classified as a low-complexity treatment because laboratory techniques are not required to fertilize the egg. The goal of this technique is to provide the body with the best possible conditions to achieve pregnancy. Through ovulation induction and ultrasound monitoring, it is possible to determine the time of ovulation and, in this way, guide sexual intercourse to the period considered most fertile.

What are the main indications?

Ovulation disorders: One of the main causes is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Scheduling incompatibility between partners: When one partner is away for extended periods during the month, making sexual intercourse during the fertile window impossible.

Reduced frequency of sexual intercourse

What are the stages of the treatment?

1
Hormonal stimulation of the ovaries

Initially, ovarian hormonal stimulation is performed using oral and/or injectable medications so that at least one follicle develops, thereby enabling ovulation. This entire process lasts an average of 10 to 14 days and is monitored through transvaginal ultrasound, providing greater assurance that ovulation is approaching.
2
Ovulation monitoring / Determining the fertile window

Follicular growth is monitored through transvaginal ultrasound, providing greater assurance that ovulation is approaching. When the ovarian follicle reaches an appropriate size, another medication is used to trigger ovulation itself (follicular rupture with egg release), and over the following hours the “fertile window” is established—the period during which conception is possible.
3
Timed intercourse

After determining the “fertile window,” sexual intercourse is recommended during this period. Fourteen days after the estimated date of ovulation, a pregnancy test is performed.

Having a more accurate understanding of the fertile window is essential for couples to succeed through timed intercourse. With this information, couples have a 15% to 20% chance of becoming pregnant per menstrual cycle in women and people with a uterus under the age of 35. After the age of 35, the chances of success progressively decline. It is important to remember that anatomical abnormalities and functional disorders of the fallopian tubes and uterus prevent the use of this technique, as do significant abnormalities in the semen analysis.

Ovarian hyperstimulation is considered a rare complication in fertility treatments. It consists of an exaggerated response of the ovaries to the hormonal stimulation used. However, this condition is more common in high-complexity treatments (in vitro fertilization), where higher doses of ovulation-inducing medications are used, and even then, it represents only 1–2% of cases.

Another possible outcome of this type of treatment is multiple pregnancy (twins or more). If more than one follicle develops during ovarian stimulation and releases more than one egg, twin or even triplet pregnancies may occur. To reduce this possibility, timed intercourse is suspended in such cases. These measures are intended to reduce the risks associated with pregnancies involving more than one fetus.

Origen Rio - Medicina Reprodutiva

Human Reproduction