Why 'Procreation' And 'Pleasure' Should Go Hand In Hand When It Comes To Falling Pregnant

Through no fault of their own, for many couples who have been trying to conceive for a long period of time - often for many months and even years - the actual physical act of sexual intercourse can become quite perfunctory or regimented.

Let's talk about sex.

And not just any old sex, 'trying to get pregnant' sex.

Ask any couple who've been through it and they'll tell you it's somehow different from time typically spent between the sheets.

The act of intercourse suddenly has a purpose. You're not just enjoying a little Netflix and Chill, you've got a job to do.

And like any form of employment, there's added pressure. You might even have to punch-in on time or face a verbal warning from the boss.

But new scientific research has shown that despite all of this, procreation should be pleasurable - because a woman who achieves orgasm during sex actually improves her chances of conceiving.

The message comes from Dr Robert King, lecturer in applied psychology at the University College Cork, Ireland.

He's managed to demonstrate a strong link between women who climax and 'sperm retention' in the cervix.

Dr King suggest that the female orgasm can actually increase fertility by up to 15 per cent.

And if he's able to replicate his findings in a larger study group, he claims that the results will be able to assist fertility in some couples, 'as well as providing a procedure for assessing the function of female orgasm.'

Now, the link between female orgasm and fertility has long been discussed, but this appears to be the first study of its kind to really examine the biological process.

And it's all down to hormones produced in the female body when aroused.

When a woman orgasms, her cervix is designed to drop down in a rhythmical motion to increase contact with any sperm and therefore increase the chances of sperm entering the cervix and resulting in a pregnancy.

And logically the hormones released during an orgasm also increase fertility.

When we orgasm we release oxytocin and endorphins. These reduce stress and that gives the message that it is a 'safe' time to conceive.

When we are extremely stressed, however, fertility and menstruation are negatively effected as the body is in 'fight or flight' mode, where pregnancy is less likely because there is a perceived danger.

Through no fault of their own, for many couples who have been trying to conceive for a long period of time - often for many months and even years - the actual physical act of sexual intercourse can become quite perfunctory or regimented.

It's easy to fall into the trap of necessitating that sex happens at a particular time, on a particular day, at the peak moment of fertility.

The need for a female to orgasm can perhaps become secondary to the primary function - which is to make a baby.

Now, however, what this study may suggest is that couples should still be taking the time to ensure that sex is satisfying for all concerned.

Meanwhile other studies have shown that mutual orgasm during intercourse actually leads to a stronger bond forming between partners, which can only be a good thing for your relationship you're keen to welcome a child into the world.

I would advise lesbian couples trying to conceive to use a diaphragm to hold sperm close to the cervix and then have an orgasm.

And, most of all, make the most of this intimacy - because opportunities like it may not present themselves so readily when baby arrives!

Close