Should I swi every day or every other day?

[SunshineOutdoors]

Really looking forward to conceiving dc2 - I'm aware that I may struggle even though I didn't first time round so am trying not to be too excited but it's very hard.

Finally got my period back so am officially ttc. I've worked out roughly when I should be fertile (very roughly as used an online ovulation calculator based on last period and erratic cycle length, so I've given myself a wide 2 week window where it might happen).

So, do I do 'it' every day or every other day? I don't want to miss the boat but I don't want to overegg the pudding. I've heard if you do it too often the sperm doesn't get a chance to rest and become potent enough .

I know from lurking on here that a lot of you really know your stuff so I'd really appreciate some tips on how to maximise my chances if conceiving again. I want it so much I'm worried I'll stop it from happening iyswim.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Two or three times a week throughout the cycle is fine. Do not put undue pressure on yourself by using OPKs or temp charting if your menstrual cycle is erratic because such measures will not be helpful in the long run.

Working out when you are fertile even when the menstrual cycle is regular is a task in itself and it is all too easy to get that date wrong. Ovulation is not an exact science and it can occur earlier, later or not at all in any given cycle.
If your cycles stay erratic then I would have blood tests done sooner rather than later as hormonal imbalances can be the root cause of irregular periods.

[SunshineOutdoors]

Thank you. I know I should relax about it but for some reason I feel like I'm obsessing already. I will just try and enjoy trying for a few months and worry later if I need to. I'm just impatient I think. I wanted two close together and ideally I'd like to have been pregnant by now.

[blackcatsdancing]

i'm going to disagree and say that OPks can be very useful- though they do not work for everyone. You can buy a huge bundle of them on amazon very cheaply which means you will start to get a good idea of when you ovulate. SWI daily in completely unnecessary, every other day is perfect. How long sperm live is variable depending on the sperm, the Cm and various other factors. Aim for every other day during your fertile period but if you can only manage every 3 days that may also be enough. Agree with attila on getting tested sooner rather than later if things stay erratic. Personally i use opks and temp- but then i'm officially old so need the full information. Try to keep relaxed.

[SunshineOutdoors]

If we did end up swi every day (because we wanted to, not for ttc reasons) would it decrease the chance of getting pregnant compared to every other day?

[blackcatsdancing]

i've not heard that. On the contrary everything i've read has been the more sex the better your chances of conceiving. This doesn't contradict what i said earlier- every other day is enough as sperm live at least 48 hours, they can live far longer but that will depend on various factors and shouldn't be assumed to be the case for everyone all the time. Also if you really feel like sex then better to do it, better for your relationship which is crucial. I will put a caveat on this though - there may be issues with daily sex if there are problems with his sperm- this is not an area i know anything about.
google zita west more sex

[Purpledragon]

Hi, unless there are 'male factor' issues, you will not hurt your chances by having sex every day if that's what you feel like. However if you are using a big window - like two weeks (a good idea for your case) then pacing yourself is a good idea too, so you don't end up stopping too early in your cycle (I speak from experience )

[MissMedusa]

What if there are male factor issues? My DH has a high sperm count but low motility. Would this kind of thing be helped or hindered by SWI every day?

[Purpledragon]

Oh good question MissM, I'm not an expert and I'm not sure you would get the same answer if you asked a number of different said 'experts' but this is my understanding: frequent sex lowers the number of sperm produced in each ejaculation but not to any extent that effects a man with a 'normal' sperm count if there is, say, 24 hours gaps. So less often is a good idea to 'build up' levels if the sperm count is known to be low. As you rightly point out this is just one aspect of male factor. My understanding is that frequent sex increases rather than decreases motility. Would it not follow that daily sex could, potentially be of benefit in this case?

[blackcatsdancing]

missmedusa i really don't know but you could try starting your own thread with this issue in the title, there will be women who have seen fertility specialists with their partners who will know more. I do know that cutting back on drink, no smoking, less caffeine and stress, no laptops on laps and Vitamin D all play a part in sperm health. I personally take Boots vitamin D 25ug x2 per day for my own health and i know of men who take double that- not for fertility just for well being.

[blackcatsdancing]

also vit D is quite cheap to buy

[blackcatsdancing]

ah confusion over caffeine and sperm. Caffeine apparently can cause sperm mutations (this is what i already knew and why i try to get DP to cut back his coffee habit) but i've just read that a lot of caffeine has been shown to increase sperm motility- so there you have it a classic conundrum!