Fertility Awareness - TTC

<h1>Male Fertility</h1>
Up to 50% of infertile couples have male fertility issues which means that the man is totally or partially responsible for the infertility. How much do you know about his fertility? Does he do everything to improve his fertility?
Let us guide you and improve your male fertility knowledge.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Our quiz will help you improve your knowledge about male fertility

Male Fertility

An ovulation prediction kit can be used by women and men who are trying to conceive to time intercourse. If intercourse occurs when a woman is ovulating, there is an increased chance that she will conceive a child. The ovulation prediction kits most often come with enough tests for 5 to 7 days. In order to most effectively use the ovulation prediction kit, the woman will have to have a basic understanding of ovulation and when it normally occurs.
What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is the time during a woman's menstrual cycle when the egg is released. Taking a normal menstrual cycle into consideration, the woman will ovulate between the 10th and 19th day after the starting day of the last period. While the ovulation predictor may help to predict when ovulation will occur, the woman will need to have intercourse before ovulation in order to optimize her chances of conception.
Ovulation is like a marker. The woman can use the ovulation prediction kit to mark the day when ovulation will most likely occur, but two to three days before the day of ovulation is when intercourse should be planned. After the egg is released, it will only live in the body for up to 24 hours which is a small time frame for conception.
How Do Ovulation Prediction Kits Predict Ovulation?
Just like the at home pregnancy test is created to test for the pregnancy hormone hCG, the at home ovulation kit tests for LH. LH is the luteinizing hormone that rises in the body when the egg is about to be released. This continuous testing of the LH before the egg is released is needed to recognize a surge in the hormone. The ovulation prediction kit is created to test positive when a surge above normal range is detected. The hormone spikes BEFORE the egg is released, which is why the kit can make conception more likely. When the hormone spikes and the test result is positive, that day is the day to have intercourse.
Is There a Chance the Test Will Be Positive and I Won't Conceive?
Yes, there is a chance that an ovulation prediction test will test positive and ovulation will not be occurring. There have been instances of false positive results. On the other hand, just because a woman is ovulating does not mean conception will occur. According to research, 60% of all pregnancies are self aborted by the female body due to chromosomal or other problems during the earliest stages of growth. Most women never know they are pregnant. Their next menstrual cycle may be a day or two late, or seem to be a bit heavier than the preceding month.
The ovulation prediction kit can also test a false negative. Most of the time, the negative test result will be due to the test being performed incorrectly. Before starting the ovulation prediction kit, it is important for the woman to read all of the instructions for the kit. Following these instructions to the letter will improve the chances of the test performing accurately.

An ovulation prediction kit or OPK can be used by women and men who are trying to conceive to time intercourse.

How Does a Ovulation Predictor Kit Work?

&nbsp;
One of the most frequently asked questions we get at BabyMed is: "When should I see the infertility specialist"? After 6 months of trying? 12 months? When I have irregular periods?
We usually suggest you see your general Ob Gyn for a Periconception visit as soon as you start TTC. But when should you see the infertility specialist, the Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE)?
<a title="Infertility RE specialist tool" href="tools/fertility-specialist">The BabyMed interactive "Infertility Specialist Tool" </a>guides you though some questions and then comes up with the right answer.

Interactively find out if and when you should see an infertility specialist when trying to conceive.

The BabyMed Interactive Infertility Specialist Tool

<h2>What is my fertile window?</h2>
Your fertile window also known as the&nbsp;fertility&nbsp;window consists of the 5-6 fertile days of your menstrual cycle 4-5 days before and the day of ovulation when intercourse is most likely to result in pregnancy.&nbsp;This fertile window starts 5 days before the day of ovulation until the day&nbsp;of ovulation. Your most fertile of these days are the 2 days before plus the day of ovulation.
Calculate: <a href="/when-am-i-fertile-today-calculator">Am I fertile today?</a>
Having sex 24+ hours after the day of established ovulation is unlikely to improve your chances of getting pregnant.

<h2>On which days of my menstrual cycle am I more likely to get pregnant?</h2>
The 2 days before ovulation plus the day of ovulation have the highest chance of getting you pregnant if you have intercourse only once during the fertile window.
These 3 days are the best fertile window:
<img class="media-element file-media-original" title="Best Fertility Window" src="https://www.babymed.com/sites/default/files/Best%20Fertility%20Window.jpg" alt="Best Fertility Window" data-media-element="1" data-fid="69576" data-delta="1">
These percentages apply to intercourse for only one day:
<ul>
<li>6 days before ovulation (-6 dpo) : 0 %</li>
<li>5 days before ovulation (-5 dpo) : 8 %</li>
<li>4 days before ovulation&nbsp;(-4 dpo) : 17 %&nbsp;</li>
<li>3 days before ovulation&nbsp;(-3 dpo) : 8 %</li>
<li>2 days before ovulation&nbsp;(-2 dpo) : 36 %</li>
<li>1 day before ovulation&nbsp;(-1 dpo) : 34 %</li>
<li>The day of ovulation&nbsp;(dpo) : 36 %</li>
<li>Any day (24+ hours) after ovulation: (1+ dpo) : 0%</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199512073332301">Adapted from Wilcox, AJ. et al. NEJM (1995)</a>
<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199906103402304">Wilcox NEJM 1999</a>
<h2>Probability of ovulation</h2>
Your probability of ovulation depends on long your cycle days are. The longer your menstrual cycle, the further down your cycle is your likely ovulation. We used to believe that in regular menstrual cycles, ovulation happens within a range of 2-3 days. However recent publications suggest that even in regular cycles ovulation can normally happen in a range of about a week or so. That is why it's essential when trying to get pregnant that you have sex over a range of days. We are helping you by having developed an <a href="/complete-fertile-window-and-ovulation-coverage-calculator">ovulation and fertile days calculator</a> which determines the range of likelihood of ovulation and fertile days. The table below follows a research study published in 2018 which calculated the chance of ovulation happening based on cycle day length. As you can see, even with a 28-day cycle, ovulation can happen in a wide range of days.&nbsp;
<img class="media-element file-media-original" title="Probability oif Ovulation based on cycle days length" src="https://www.babymed.com/sites/default/files/Screenshot%202019-10-08%2008.34.16.png" alt="Probability oif Ovulation based on cycle days length" data-media-element="1" data-fid="74116" data-delta="2">
Adapted from:&nbsp;Can apps and calendar methods predict ovulation with accuracy? Current Medical Research and Opinion, 34:9, 1587-1594
<h2>Why can I get pregnant from intercourse up to 5 days before ovulation?</h2>
Sperms can survive for up to 5-6 days inside a woman's uterus. Increasing amounts of estrogen in the cervical mucus and reproductive tract of a woman approaching ovulation generally allows the sperm to live for up to 6 days in the woman's uterus.
Because there is a wide range of days when ovulation can possibly occur based on menstrual cycle lengths, there is an even wider range of making sure you have sex no within 5 days prior to ovulation. Below is a table that shows you your chances to "cover" ovulation, to have sex, in anticipation of the possible ovulation day:
<h2>Sex ovulation and conception by cycle days</h2>
<img class="media-element file-media-original" title="When to have sex to cover possible ovulation" src="https://www.babymed.com/sites/default/files/When%20to%20have%20sex%20to%20cover%20possible%20ovulation.png" alt="When to have sex to cover possible ovulation" data-media-element="1" data-fid="74131" data-delta="3">
Instructions: In the left column move down to find your cycle days, then move to the right to find the cycle days to have sex to ensure you time sexual intercourse correctly. For example,&nbsp; if your menstrual cycles are 30 days long, then having sex on each cycle day between cycle days 10-20 covers each day an over 15% chance to not miss ovulation.&nbsp;
<h2>Does the timing of intercourse help?</h2>
Studies have shown that even in women with regular cycles, ovulation can possibly happen any time, so "timing" of intercourse has never been shown to improve your pregnancy chances. You are probably not improving your chances of getting pregnant if you wait for intercourse until the temperature goes up or the OPK has become positive. You may already have ovulated by that time, and sex after ovulation is unlikely to get you pregnant.
<h2>Every day or every other day intercourse?</h2>
Couples who tried to get pregnant were previously told to have sex once every other day during their fertile days. Recent studies have shown that the average couple who is trying to conceive should make love regularly 2-3 times a week, every week because you don't know exactly when ovulation happens.
In addition, you may improve your chances if you <a href="/when-am-i-fertile-today-calculator" target="_self">have sex once a day (as long as his sperm are OK) during the fertile 4-5 days prior to, and the day of, ovulation.</a> In those rare circumstances when the man does not have enough sperm (oligospermia), the old rule of once every other day still holds true.
<ul>
<li>Sex every day: 37% chance of pregnancy</li>
<li>Sex every other day: 33% &nbsp;chance of pregnancy</li>
<li>Sex once a week: 15% &nbsp;chance of pregnancy</li>
</ul>
From: "<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199512073332301">Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation -- Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby</a>" was published in The New England Journal of Medicine (December 7, 1995 -- Vol. 333, No. 23). Allen J. Wilcox, Clarice R. Weinberg, Donna D. Bair.

You only have 5-6 fertile days in your cycle to get pregnant.

When Is Your Fertility Window?

Q: When is ovulation and BBT rise after a positive OPK?
A: Your first OPK indicates a rise in the LH hormone, which is followed soon after by ovulation, which is triggered by that LH rise. It is essential that this is the first positive OPK. This means you must have a negative OPK followed by a positive OPK. Just having one positive OPK test without a preceding negative test does not provide enough information, as the OPK can be positive for 2-3 days.
Usually, you would expect to ovulate about 14-26 hours after the <a href="/love/tools/ovulation-opk-sex-calculator">OPK FIRST becomes positive</a> (positive test after a negative test). However, it can occasionally happen that you have already ovulated even before your OPK first becomes positive. By taking the OPK more frequently than every 24 hours, you may be able to pinpoint ovulation better. Your BBT curve should go up within 24-48 hours after ovulation.
Sometimes, especially with a slow rise, it can take up to four to five days to see the BBT rise after the OPK first becomes positive, but ideally, you see the rise within two to three days.

When is ovulation and BBT rise after positive OPK? Your first OPK indicates a rise in the LH hormone, which is followed soon after by ovulation, which is triggered by that LH rise.

When Does Ovulation Occur After A Positive OPK and BBT?

Q:&nbsp;How can I tell if I am pregnant? Can cervical changes signify that I am pregnant? What about the position of my uterus?
A: There are certain cervical changes that take place during your fertile days. However, there is no clear position of the uterus during very early pregnancy. The uterus can be high or low and the cervix can be soft or firm. The truth is that other than a positive pregnancy test there is no reliable enough sign of an early pregnancy that can give definite proof.

How can I tell if I am pregnant? Can cervical changes signify that I am pregnant? What about the position of my uterus?

Can Uterine Or Cervical Changes Show That I Am Pregnant?

Which is better?
A: Many people believe that <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?early-pregnancy-tests+JqPByu+glasbasbbtth.html">Mercury free Glass Thermometers</a> are superior to digital ones because they are more accurate. However, there are also several advantages of a digital over a glass thermometer: 1. The first advantage is speed, the <a href="http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?early-pregnancy-tests+JqPByu+bbt-thermometers.html+">BBT digital thermometer</a> takes 30-60 seconds (as compared with 2-3 minutes for a glass thermometer). Even though this is a small difference, it can matter if you have to go to the bathroom first thing in the morning. 2. Many digital thermometers are more durable and less likely to break. 3. Some digital thermometers also keep your last temperature in memory, this may be helpful when you do not want to write down the temperature right away. 4. Digital thermometers do not have to be shaken to bring down the temperature. Glass thermometers need to be brought back to a low temperature, and this is usually done by shaking the thermometer. It's not suggested to move a lot before taking your BBT, so if you forgot to do this before you went to sleep, shaking the thermometer may make the reading inaccurate.

Digital or Fever Thermometer

<h2>Progesterone, Corpus Luteum, and the Luteal Phase</h2>
Progesterone is a steroid hormone initially secreted by the corpus luteum, an area in the ovary that develops after ovulation. Prior to ovulation, progesterone levels are very low. They increase right after ovulation and reach levels above 10 ng/ml usually by 5-7 days after ovulation. The time right after ovulation until the next menstrual period is called the “corpus luteum phase” or the “luteal phase.” During the luteal phase, the fertilized egg travels through the fallopian tube into the uterus where it implants usually 6-12 days after fertilization. The normal luteal phase lasts on average 14 days, and it can be anywhere from 12 to 17 days long. Progesterone has the following functions:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It prepares the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, for implantation and a possible pregnancy.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It prevents the contraction of the uterus.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It prevents the development of a new follicle.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">During pregnancy, it is being produced by the placenta and maintains the pregnancy until birth.</li>
</ul>
If pregnancy does not happen then production of progesterone by the corpus luteum decreases toward the end of the menstrual cycle, and menstruation begins.
If pregnancy does happen, then the placenta in addition to the corpus luteum will start producing progesterone. Progesterone levels increase at the time of implantation and by the 10th to the 11th week of the pregnancy the placenta takes over the main production of progesterone and the corpus luteum is no longer essential to maintain the pregnancy.&nbsp;