Dads-to-be: can too much sex affect our chances of getting pregnant?

(NHS 2020a)

. Having more sex around the time your partner ovulates (releases an egg from the ovary) will increase your chances even more

(NHS 2020a)

. So, if you and your partner are enjoying the frequency at which you’re having sex, there’s no need to hold back.

Can lots of sex affect male fertility?

While too much sex won’t cause male infertility, you may wonder if frequent ejaculation affects how potent your sperm is, and whether lots of sex, or masturbation, lowers your sperm’s quality.

It’s true that going a few days without ejaculating slightly increases a man’s sperm count. However, while more frequent sex or masturbation may lower your sperm count slightly, it’s unlikely to affect your fertility. You won’t run out of sperm cells, no matter how often you ejaculate.

A number of studies have looked at semen samples from men who ejaculated several times a day. They found that while the sperm count lowered with each successive sample, it didn’t fall beneath what experts consider to be a healthy sperm count. It also didn’t appear to affect the sperm quality, motility (ability to swim) or shape, which are all important factors in fertility

(Mayorga-Torres et al 2016, Mayorga-Torres et al 2015, Welliver 2016)

.

So unless you have fertility issues, having frequent sex, or masturbating a lot, shouldn’t affect your chances of conceiving.

Some men with low sperm counts are advised by their fertility specialists to abstain from ejaculating for a few days before trying to conceive. The idea is that a period of abstinence can help to increase a low sperm count and improve the chances of conceiving. However, evidence on this is conflicted.

A review of almost 30 studies into abstinence and fertility has found that avoiding ejaculation can increase sperm count and semen volume, but can negatively affect its shape and ability to swim.

Waiting weeks may have a bigger impact on the quality of your sperm. Research suggests that the longer sperm stays in your testicles, the higher the risk of DNA damage

(Comar et al 2017, Pons et al 2013)

. And having sperm with damaged DNA can make it more difficult to get your partner pregnant.

We don’t yet have enough research to say what period of abstinence is most effective

(Hanson et al 2018)

. One study into sperm with damaged DNA found that having sex every other day decreased the damage in up to nine in 10 cases

(Pons et al 2013)

. And GPs and fertility specialists may recommend around three days to best balance the benefits of waiting against the negatives.

If you have fertility issues, speak to your GP or fertility expert, who can offer advice that’s specific to you and your partner.

What should we do if we’re having trouble conceiving?

It’s disheartening when you’re trying to conceive and it doesn’t happen

(NHS 2020b)

.

If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, talk to your GP. If your partner’s

(NHS 2020b)

.

Some couples try to time sex to coincide with the woman’s

(NHS 2020b)

.

Trying to have sex only around the time of ovulation can also be

Making sure you have sex every day without fail can be stressful too, particularly if you already have a family. Instead, try to focus on having a happy, satisfying sex life.

Check out whether your

More fertility tips for men:

References

Comar VA, et al. 2017. Influence of the abstinence period on human sperm quality: analysis of 2,458 semen samples JBRA Assist Reprod. Oct-Dec; 21(4): 306–312. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

Hanson BM, et al. 2018. The impact of ejaculatory abstinence on semen analysis parameters: a systematic review J Assist Reprod Genet. Feb; 35(2): 213–220. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

Mayorga-Torres BJM, et al. 2015. Influence of ejaculation frequency on seminal parameters Reprod Biol Endocrinol . 015; 13: 47. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

Mayorga-Torres BJM, et al. 2016. Can a Short Term of Repeated Ejaculations Affect Seminal Parameters? J Reprod Infertil. 17(3): 177–183. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

NHS. 200a. How can I improve my chances of becoming a dad?. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed August 2021]

NHS. 2020b. Infertility. NHS, Health A-Z. www.nhs.uk [Accessed August 2021]

Pons I, et al. 2013. One abstinence day decreases sperm DNA fragmentation in 90% of selected patients J Assist Reprod Genet.. 30(9): 1211–1218. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

Welliver C, et al. 2016. Analysis of semen parameters during 2 weeks of daily ejaculation: a first in humans study Transl Androl Urol. 5(5): 749–755. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov [Accessed August 2021]

It depends on what you mean by too much! Having sex every two to three days throughout your partner’s cycle will give you the best possible chance of conceiving. Having more sex around the time your partner ovulates (releases an egg from the ovary) will increase your chances even more. So, if you and your partner are enjoying the frequency at which you’re having sex, there’s no need to hold back.While too much sex won’t cause male infertility, you may wonder if frequent ejaculation affects how potent your sperm is, and whether lots of sex, or masturbation, lowers your sperm’s quality.It’s true that going a few days without ejaculating slightly increases a man’s sperm count. However, while more frequent sex or masturbation may lower your sperm count slightly, it’s unlikely to affect your fertility. You won’t run out of sperm cells, no matter how often you ejaculate.A number of studies have looked at semen samples from men who ejaculated several times a day. They found that while the sperm count lowered with each successive sample, it didn’t fall beneath what experts consider to be a healthy sperm count. It also didn’t appear to affect the sperm quality, motility (ability to swim) or shape, which are all important factors in fertilitySo unless you have fertility issues, having frequent sex, or masturbating a lot, shouldn’t affect your chances of conceiving.Some men with low sperm counts are advised by their fertility specialists to abstain from ejaculating for a few days before trying to conceive. The idea is that a period of abstinence can help to increase a low sperm count and improve the chances of conceiving. However, evidence on this is conflicted.A review of almost 30 studies into abstinence and fertility has found that avoiding ejaculation can increase sperm count and semen volume, but can negatively affect its shape and ability to swim.Waiting weeks may have a bigger impact on the quality of your sperm. Research suggests that the longer sperm stays in your testicles, the higher the risk of DNA damage. And having sperm with damaged DNA can make it more difficult to get your partner pregnant.We don’t yet have enough research to say what period of abstinence is most effective. One study into sperm with damaged DNA found that having sex every other day decreased the damage in up to nine in 10 cases. And GPs and fertility specialists may recommend around three days to best balance the benefits of waiting against the negatives.If you have fertility issues, speak to your GP or fertility expert, who can offer advice that’s specific to you and your partner.It’s disheartening when you’re trying to conceive and it doesn’t happen straight away . But rest assured that it’s not unusual for conception to take up to a year, even with regular sexIf you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for more than a year, talk to your GP. If your partner’s over 35 , see your GP after six months. They’ll explain your options, and can refer you to a fertility expertSome couples try to time sex to coincide with the woman’s most fertile window . However, while this may sometimes be helpful, it’s not usually necessary. It’s better to have sex every two to three days insteadTrying to have sex only around the time of ovulation can also be stressful , which can be bad for baby-making in both men and women. It’s better to take a more relaxed approach if you can.Making sure you have sex every day without fail can be stressful too, particularly if you already have a family. Instead, try to focus on having a happy, satisfying sex life.Check out whether your sperm is more potent in the morning, and whether your fertility is affected by your age