You’ve likely heard that heading to the bathroom pronto after sex can help prevent urinary tract infections. While peeing quickly is a good idea, it’s not a guaranteed way to protect against infection.
Insider spoke to several OB-GYNs about what you should do (and what you shouldn’t) after sex. They recommend using a lubricant that’s labeled as fertility-friendly, as well as making sure you wear breathable underwear.
Lying down after sex
There’s no evidence that lying down after sex increases your chances of getting pregnant. In fact, it may even decrease your odds if you do so for too long. The reason is that sperm need to be able to reach the fallopian tubes in order to be fertilized. It takes about 2 minutes for them to do this, regardless of whether you are lying down or not.
The best thing to do is to urinate before you go to bed after intercourse. This will help to wash out any sperm that have escaped the cervical mucus and reduce your risk of UTI. In addition, you should also avoid using lubricants that contain spermicide.
In a large study of more than 300 couples, it was found that women who lay down for 15 minutes with their knees raised after intercourse had lower pregnancy rates than those who got up immediately. However, the results were not statistically significant and the study was conducted before the development of assisted reproductive technologies. Hence, it is unlikely that this finding will have any implications for current fertility treatments.
Increasing your chances of getting pregnant
Many women are under the impression that lying down after sex will improve their chances of getting pregnant. However, this belief is false. In fact, this method can actually decrease the chances of pregnancy. The reason behind this is that sperm must swim through the cervix and uterus to reach the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place. Lying down after sex may make this process faster, but it does not increase the chance of fertilization.
It is also important to note that the acidic fluid in the vagina kills most sperm within a few hours of intercourse. Moreover, some sperm are rejected no matter what position you are in after sex. These are called flowback sperm and consist of a mixture of cervical mucus and sperm. If you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant, you should try to have sex during your fertile window.
To do this, you should use a ovulation predictor kit, which looks similar to a pregnancy test and detects a surge in the luteinizing hormone (LH) that occurs just before ovulation. However, this method does not guarantee pregnancy, so it is best to combine it with other proven tips for boosting fertility, such as having sex during your fertile window and improving your diet and lifestyle.
Getting pregnant naturally
If you want to get pregnant naturally, it’s important to do things that can increase your chances of conception. This includes having sex during your fertile window, avoiding common vaginal lubricants, and eating healthy food. Getting plenty of sleep can also help. It’s important to reduce stress levels, which can interfere with ovulation and increase your chances of miscarriage.
Women often hear that lying down after sex can help them conceive. Some people believe that this is because laying down allows the sperm to swim more easily and reach the fallopian tube, where fertilization occurs. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Moreover, getting up quickly after sexual intercourse may actually decrease your chances of conceiving.
Another myth is that women should lay down after sex to prevent semen from back-flowing into the urethra. However, the acid in the vagina kills most of the sperm within a few hours. It is therefore not necessary to lie down for extended periods of time after sex.
Some people suggest that women should place a pillow under their hips after sex to enhance fertility. However, this is a falsehood and it does not increase pregnancy rates. Moreover, holding the legs up does not help with ovulation or fertility. This is because the sperm needs to reach the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place.
Tips for boosting fertility
If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, there are many tips that can help. These include eating a well-balanced diet, sleeping at the same time each day, and avoiding unhealthy habits. In addition, it is important to have sex during your fertile window, which is the day of and 3-5 days before ovulation. This can significantly improve your chances of conceiving.
Despite the myth, there is no evidence that lying down after sex can increase your chances of pregnancy. Moreover, it may even be counterproductive, as it could cause the sperm to leak out of the vagina, which can decrease your chances of conception. In the meantime, it’s best to err on the side of caution and wait to lie down after sex until you have urinated.
It’s also a good idea to avoid using lubricants that contain spermicide or other ingredients that can kill the sperm. Instead, opt for a lubricant that is labeled as “fertility friendly.” If you are having trouble conceiving, try using an ovulation predictor kit to determine your most fertile period. These kits look like a pregnancy test and detect a surge in the hormone luteinizing hormone (LH) that indicates ovulation. They are available online or at most pharmacies.
See Also:
