Scheduled sexual intercourse, also called timed intercourse, is one type of assisted reproduction treatment we offer at URE Centro Gutenberg. It’s a minimally invasive treatment process we recommend to patients whose inability to get pregnant has no apparent cause. In other words, we recommend it to patients whose fertility tests all come back normal.
What is scheduled sexual intercourse?
Among the different types of assisted reproduction treatment, the most straightforward, affordable and simple technique is what we call scheduled sexual intercourse, or intercourse that is timed by your doctor.
When is scheduled sexual intercourse recommended?
This technique may be recommended or indicated for: couples where the female partner is young, meaning ideally under the age of 35; couples who have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, meaning all diagnostic testing has come back normal; couples who have been trying to conceive for only a short time (less than two years); couples who do not have intercourse frequently; and women with ovulation abnormalities such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, etc.
How is scheduled sexual intercourse timed?
The purpose is to time intercourse around the female’s most fertile days.
Scheduled intercourse can be planned based on natural ovulatory cycles. In this case, ovulation is monitored by tracking the female’s basal temperature and by performing ovulation tests through urine samples and/or ultrasound scans. Then, the doctor will determine which days are ideal for the patients to have intercourse. Ultrasound scans should be performed to monitor follicle development in the ovaries before deciding the best moment to have intercourse. Intercourse before ovulation is the most effective.
Scheduled intercourse can also be planned in a natural cycle during which ovulation is triggered using a medication that contains the hormone hCG (Ovitrelle, Gonasi).
Another alternative is to undergo ovarian stimulation from the start of the cycle using either oral or injectable medication. In this case, ovulation would need to be triggered using a medication that contains the hormone hCG.
When should we plan on having sexual intercourse once we have administered the hcG injection (Ovitrelle, Gonasi)?
Sexual intercourse should be planned starting 2 days after the hCG shot is administered. The couple should continue having intercourse every other day (i.e. every two days) for one week.
Advantages
This technique is popular because it’s simple, easy, requires little medication and is also affordable. There are no serious side effects or risks, and the likelihood of a twin or triplet pregnancy is very low.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is that this technique is only recommended to specific couples whose prognosis is very good. This is because the odds of success per cycle are no higher than 15% even under ideal conditions.
Have we answered all your questions? Do you have any others about scheduled sexual intercourse?
If you’re thinking about starting treatment with us or are simply interested in receiving more information, you can request an appointment for an initial assessment of your case. This first appointment is completely cost-free and can be scheduled as an in-person or remote consultation.
