When Am I Most Fertile?
A guide to understanding high fertility vs. peak fertility vs. your fertile window.
How do I know when to have sex for maximum chances of getting pregnant? What is high or "peak" fertility and is that different from my fertile window? How do I know when my fertile window is?
These are just some of the many questions that we have received from our Doveras community. They are all great questions, and they clearly reflect that many of us are trying to optimize our chances of getting pregnant at home — but are having a tough time navigating through all the different windows measuring optimal fertility.
In this guide, we will break down what is high fertility, peak fertility, and the fertile window so that you have a clear understanding of boosting your odds for conception this cycle.
Before we delve into the terms, let's talk about the practical aspect of why ovulation tracking is important. As annoying and tedious as it may be to understand your cycle, ovulation tracking is important for one simple reason: because it has been proven to boost odds of conception.
In a substantial study involving 844 individuals, those who used an ovulation tracking system to time intercourse within the fertile window increased their likelihood of conceiving within two menstrual cycles. In the first cycle, couples who tracked ovulation had a notable 25.4% chance of conceiving, compared to 14.7% for those who didn't track. This underscores the importance of understanding when it matters.
So let’s help you understand what the “fertile window” is.
Peak Fertility: All About Pinpointing Ovulation
Peak fertility is exactly what it sounds like: it is simply the point in your menstrual cycle when you're most likely to get pregnant. This momentous occasion occurs when you ovulate, marked by a surge (“peak”) in the luteinizing hormone (LH).
High Fertility: Anticipating Ovulation
Before reaching the peak, there's high fertility – the precursor to the main event. This phase typically happens five days before peak fertility. It's akin to the lead-up to ovulation, indicating that your body is gearing up for ovulation.
The Fertile Window: Where High and Peak Align
Combine high fertility and peak fertility, and you get the "fertile window." This is the timeframe when your chances of conception are at their highest. To simplify things, it would mean a six-day window during your cycle (the 5 days before peak fertility, and the day of peak fertility). Having sexual intercourse during this time will maximize your chances of conception.
If you are having sexual intercourse within your fertile window, you are already in a great place. That said, this is a question we receive a lot, and our advice is: if you had to pick and choose, prioritize having sexual intercourse the two days before your ovulation day, and the day after: so the two days before your LH surge, and the day after your LH surge. We’ve coined this the “fertilest window” :)
So, there you have it — the days when you should keep in mind for your maximum chances of conception.
If you need more help, all Doveras members get matched with an ovulation predictor kit type right for them as well as education from a fertility nurse to make sure you're doing it right. We're here to help!