Timed intercourse involves “cycle monitoring”, which means having blood tests and ultrasounds on certain key days during the menstrual cycle. The testing starts 2-5 days after the period begins. After these tests, the patient is seen by the physician and is told when to return to the clinic for further monitoring. When a patient is approaching ovulation, she will return to the office more frequently so that the timing for ovulation can be identified. She will be told on which days she is to have intercourse with her partner to maximize her chances of conception. Timed intercourse can be used in a natural cycle (no medications) or in combination with oral or injected medications. Once ovulation is confirmed, she may return to the clinic in two weeks for a pregnancy test.
Timed intercourse is the act of having sexual relations on the most fertile days of a woman’s monthly cycle. This is a treatment option for all cases of primary or secondary infertility, in which basic studies find no clear reason for the infertility. It is often used by young couples, patients who have spent little time trying to get pregnant and couples with unexplained infertility who want a simple and natural choice before undergoing more complex techniques.
Ovulation is stimulated with oral medication that increases endogenous FSH and therefore improves the selection and maturation of eggs eg Clomiphene Citrate, Patients are also sometimes given oral oestrogen that improves the ability of cervical mucus to move sperm up the fallopian tubes and also endometrial proliferation. Follicular growth is monitored via ultrasound. When it is considered the right time, ovulation is induced with a subcutaneous HCG injection (e.g. Ovitrelle). Couples will have sexual intercourse 24 to 48 hours after administering the HCG.
Most pregnancies achieved via this treatment happen in the first 3 or 4 months and so the treatment should not be continued beyond this time.