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Are you trying to get pregnant and wondering if it’s safe to have sex during the implantation window?
TLDR – the evidence is mixed on this one.
Generally speaking, it’s okay to get busy in the bedroom – unless you have a history of pregnancy complications or your doctor has told you otherwise. But if you want to err on the side of caution and avoid sex, that’s okay too!
First, let’s look at some research to learn more about whether sexual intercourse during the implantation window actually affects implantation or not.
Is it safe to have sex during implantation?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this one.
If you’re worried about the timing of sex with your menstrual cycle and implantation, this is for you. Here are some things you may want to think about before diving between the sheets.
1. Uterine contractions
Some studies suggest that peri-implantation intercourse (aka sex during around the time of implantation) may cause uterine contractions. This happens thanks to the extra movement in the muscle layer of your womb, especially during an orgasm.
So why is this a problem? Theoretically, in some cases, these uterine contractions can disturb or displace the implanted embryo or even cause it to fall out.
2. Inflammatory response
The female body has a built-in safety feature to fight off foreign objects and substances. And unfortunately, this includes semen too.
The semen contains many factors that may trigger your body’s immune response. This can manifest as inflammation and potentially interfere with normal embryo implantation.
But the actual evidence to back these things up? The data is mixed.
Let’s look at two studies that support opposite sides of this peri-implantation intercourse mystery.
| Purpose of the study | Findings | |
(2014) | To find out if having sex during the implantation window affects the chances of a pregnancy. | Couples who had sex for two or more days during 5-9 DPO had a 40% lesser chance of getting a positive pregnancy test compared to those who didn’t have sex. |
(2020) | To confirm the findings of Study 1. | Having sex during 5-9 DPO did not reduce the chances of getting pregnant. |
As you can see, these studies are at odds with one another.
So, if you:
– Are healthy
– Have no complications, and
– Your doctor has not advised against it,
you should be safe to have sex during the peri-implantation window.
Is it safe to have sex during the early weeks of pregnancy?
So what about early pregnancy?
You may be afraid of sex in early pregnancy because of things you’ve heard. They probably involved discussions of:
- Increased risk of miscarriage/preterm labor
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Fetal injury
But do you really need to worry about those things?
Studies say that sex during the first trimester is generally safe. Only avoid it if you have had complications or if your doctor has specifically told you to steer clear of intercourse.
Is it safe to have sex after an IVF/embryo transfer?
You’ve just gone through an embryo transfer and want to celebrate with some intimate partner time. Then a thought pops into your head about whether that could affect embryo implantation. Is sex at this time safe?
The evidence and suggestions are mixed.
| Purpose of the study | Findings | |
| Study 1 | To find out the relation between sex during the implantation window and ART outcomes. | Women who had sex during the implantation window were 1.59 times more likely to experience a miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage also increased in women who had sex on two or more days during this window. |
| Study 2 | To determine the effect of sex on pregnancy rates during IVF. | There wasn’t a big difference between the pregnancy rate of women who had sex in the peri-implantation window versus those who didn’t.
However, they noticed that having sex (a.k.a. semen exposure) around the time of embryo transfer may actually improve embryo development. |
| Study 3 | To observe the impact of having sex the night before a frozen embryo transfer. | Having sex the night before an embryo transfer could boost the chances of getting pregnant. |
When should sex be actively avoided?
For the most part, you should have sex when you feel like it. This is especially true if you’re TTC. But also because it’s supposed to be fun, right?
However, there are times when you may want to think twice about having sex during the peri-implantation window.
Doctor’s orders
Your doctor may ask you to say “no” to penetrative sex during the peri-implantation window. They do this if there is a high risk or previous history of:
- Miscarriage. Studies show sex during this time can increase your chances of miscarriage.
- Placenta previa. This is when the placenta latches to the bottom of the uterus or over the cervix.
- Cervical incompetence. A condition when the cervix starts to widen and thin out too early during pregnancy.
- Multiple pregnancies. Having twins or triplets can put you at a greater risk of pregnancy complications.
- Preterm labor. When your body starts going into labor too early.
TTC with no success
Have you been trying to conceive for a while without success (more than a year under the age of 35, or more than 6 months if over 35)? If so, you may want to avoid sex during this time of your given menstrual cycle.
Some studies show that peri-implantation intercourse may affect implantation. So, it’s probably best to err on the safe side.
How can I increase my chances of implantation after ovulation?
Here are some things you can do to improve your chances of conceiving.
They include:
- Eat healthy. This means fruits, veggies, fiber-rich foods, and omega-3s.
- Avoid processed foods and sugars. Whole and natural is the way to go.
- Take prenatal vitamins. Pump your body with extra vitamins.
- Reduce stress. Stress makes your body a mess.
- Monitor progesterone levels. Keep tabs on your hormones.
- Fertility awareness tracking. Know your fertile window, your day of ovulation, your intercourse patterns, cervical mucus observations, basal body temperature, and more.
Learn more: How to Make Implantation Successful: What You Need to Know
Can having peri-implantation sex cause bleeding?
Find that you bleed post-sex? Don’t panic. It may just be a natural part of pregnancy.
When you get pregnant, blood flow to the vagina increases. This extra flow of blood can lead to broken blood vessels that bleed more easily.
Or, this bleeding could actually be implantation bleeding.
Learn more: Implantation Bleeding Vs Periods | What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
There’s no need to worry as long as:
- The bleeding is light
- It lasts no more than 2 days
- It isn’t accompanied by any other symptoms
Always check in with your body and how you’re feeling.
As long as the bleeding is light and free of pain, go ahead and have sex.
But if it starts to become painful and/or the bleeding increases, it’s time to see a healthcare professional.
So in conclusion, there is no simple conclusion to the question “Can having sex after ovulation affect implantation?” If you don’t have a history of complications, you should be fine having sex during this part of your menstrual cycle. But it’s always important to have a conversation with your doctor about any concerns. Your comfort, mindset, and stress levels are key to a healthy pregnancy.
In Review
- There is conflicting information on the safety of sex during the implantation window.
- On the whole, if you are healthy, have no prior pregnancy complications, and your doctor has given you the all-clear, sex during the peri-implantation window should be fine.
- Sex during the first trimester is also safe unless you have complications or your doctor has asked you to abstain from having intercourse.
- Studies have found that sex around the time of embryo transfer can actually boost embryo development.
- Actively avoid sex during the peri-implantation window if your doctor asks you to. Also, to be on the safe side, avoid it if you’ve been TTC with no success.
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- Your Complete Guide to Surviving the Two Week Wait | Inito
- The role of oxytocin in social bonding, stress regulation and mental health: An update on the moderating effects of context and interindividual differences | ScienceDirect
- Peri-implantation intercourse does not lower fecundability | Oxford Academic
- Peri-implantation intercourse does not lower fecundability | NIH
- Fear-Related Reasons for Avoiding Sexual Intercourse in Early Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study | ScienceDirect
- Chapter 11 – Sex in the First Trimester | Cambridge University Press
- Intercourse after Embryo Transfer and Pregnancy Outcomes | Fertility and Sterility
- The effect of intercourse on pregnancy rates during assisted human reproduction | Oxford Academic
- Impact of sexual intercourse on frozen-thawed embryo transfer outcomes: a randomized controlled trial | NIH
- Implantation Bleeding Vs Periods | What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like? | Inito
