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- 1. Does having an orgasm help you to get pregnant?
- 2. Should I try to stop the sperm from leaking out after sex? For how long?
- 3. Are there any sexual practices we should avoid while trying to conceive? For example, is saliva harmful? Sex toys? Flavored lubricants?
- 4. Is there a sex position that’s best for conceiving?
- 5. I think my husband masturbates sometimes. Should he stop while we're trying to conceive?
- 6. Do we have to have sex every day while I'm trying to get pregnant?
- 7. Is there a body type that's best for conceiving? I'm flat-chested and thin-hipped ... are women with more curves more fertile?
- 8. Is it OK to diet while trying to get pregnant? Is it safe to cut out carbs?
- 9. My period isn't late yet, but I really feel like I'm pregnant. Am I crazy? How early can I do a home pregnancy test?
- 10. If I get my period regularly does that mean I'm ovulating and fertile?
- 11. My periods are usually very regular, but the last one was late. Could that mean I was pregnant and miscarried?
1. Does having an orgasm help you to get pregnant?
In theory, an orgasm could help you get pregnant, but experts agree it's definitely not necessary. During an orgasm, the uterus contracts, causing a vacuum effect which could theoretically move sperm up into the uterus. But Sandra Gahn, co-author of The Infertility Companion: Hope and Help for Couples Facing Infertility points out, "There's a certain logic in this theory, yet while studies have shown such a vacuum effect exists, whether it actually brings about a higher pregnancy rate is unproven."
The key to getting pregnant is not having an orgasm (although it sure makes trying more fun), but timing intercourse to correspond with your fertile period. Trying to force yourself to have an orgasm every time is a recipe for disaster since the stress will not put you in the mood. If you do want to have an orgasm during intercourse, many women are not able to have an orgasm from intercourse alone, so added manual stimulation may help.
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