Let's speak about sex in this blog today; it's a
part of our lives and necessary if you're serious about creating a family.
Sexual intercourse is normally safe during ovarian stimulation, however many
women who use injectable medicine for IUI or IVF may develop enlarged ovaries,
making intercourse painful. There is an increased risk of ovarian torsion or
ectopic pregnancy with larger ovaries and during IVF, and there are various
circumstances where intercourse and ejaculation are not suggested to maximize the
odds of success.
Having
a semen analysis? Abstain for optimal sample
In most cases, a semen sample is taken for one of two reasons:
- to assess the quality of the sperm
- to prepare and utilise in an insemination during IUI, IVF, or donor egg therapy
When the male partner is asked to provide a sample for a semen assay, he must refrain from any type of ejaculation for two to five days prior to the
analysis to guarantee a full and trustworthy sample. Abstaining for longer than the specified time might have some detrimental consequences. Some patients go too far and abstain for much longer than five days, believing that this will result in the formation of new sperm cells. The fact is that waiting too long between ejaculations is truly harmful.All treatment options, including IUI, IVF, and donor
egg therapy, will require the collection of a semen sample to be utilised for
insemination, with the exception of cycles requiring timed intercourse or donor
sperm. It recommended that you do not ejaculate the day before the
insemination. If the pair has sexual relations too soon, the amount of
ejaculate and sperm counts may be affected, resulting in a poor sample for IUI,
but more on that later.
Sex
during monitored Clomid cycle with timed intercourse
One of the most basic forms of treatment offered at the
best IVF centre Shantah Fertility Centre is a monitored Clomid cycle with timed
intercourse. The female patient takes an oral drug called Clomid to encourage
ovulation during this therapy. A follicle forms and is expelled from the ovaries
during ovulation, and the cycle is watched to ensure that this happens. The
pair is told to have intercourse at home once ovulation has occurred. Due to
the extremely vascular tissues of the female reproductive system, mild bleeding
as a result of intercourse is relatively uncommon during any cycle. Hormonal
stimulation and high oestrogen levels generated by the formation of numerous
follicles promote this alteration in the female reproductive system.
We would suggest avoid intercourse if a patient is
experiencing discomfort as a result of the bleeding. If bleeding during
intercourse persists, patients should consult their doctor.
Sex
during intrauterine insemination (IUI)
If a couple is undergoing IUI treatment, there are
generally few restrictions when it comes to intercourse. The only instance
where intercourse is strongly discouraged is the day following the “trigger
shot.” The trigger shot allows eggs to reach final maturity and then be
ovulated into the fallopian tubes. We generally encourage couples to have
intercourse the night of the trigger shot. This ensures a supply of sperm in
the fallopian tubes to meet the egg upon ovulation.
Abstinence from intercourse or ejaculation is
suggested on the day between the trigger shot and the IUI or the day of the
trigger shot if the IUI is planned for the next day. This break allows the
sperm count to reaccumulate in order to produce a good sample for the IUI,
which is usually scheduled approximately 36 hours after the trigger shot is
given.
Intercourse is, however, suggested the evening
following the IUI. This not only provides the couple time to be intimate, but
it also may help increase the chances of fertilization by adding to the sperm
that had been introduced during the insemination. Again, refraining from
intercourse is suggested if the patient experiences pain during sex.
During some medicated IUI cycles, the female partner
may produce too many follicles creating a concern that she potentially may
ovulate too many eggs. This would place the couple at too great of a risk for a
multiple pregnancy or higher order multiple pregnancy (triplets or higher)
which is an unacceptable risk due to the complications to both mother and
babies. When this occurs, the cycle is stopped and patients are asked to
abstain from intercourse.
Sex
during in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Sex during the early stimulation phase of an IVF
cycle is acceptable as long as the couple is using a form of barrier
contraceptive, such as a condom. In the event ovulation was to occur
unexpectedly, especially from multiple follicles, we want to avoid the
possibility of multiple pregnancy.
Later in stimulation the ovaries may start to
significantly enlarge due to the growth of many follicles. As patients get
closer, we tell them to avoid intercourse because the ovaries are very enlarged
and cystic and we are concerned that intercourse could lead to rupture of a
cyst on the enlarged ovaries or a twisting of the ovary on its blood supply,
called ovarian torsion. This is extremely rare but abstaining from sex can help
to avoid these types of complications.
Sex
during post embryo transfer: IVF, FET, and donor egg treatment
Intercourse is discouraged following an embryo
transfer during an IVF, FET, or donor egg cycle. This “pelvic rest” is
recommended anywhere from five to seven days after transfer – when a pregnancy
test can be reliably administered. This rest gives the embryo optimal time to
implant into the uterine wall. Most IVF patients can resume normal sexual
activity a week or two after their embryo transfer, but always check with your
doctor or nurse prior.
Encouraging intimacy during treatment: what does intimacy really mean?
We often associate intimacy with sex, and while sex
can be a way to achieve intimacy, it is not the only way. Rather, intimacy
creates a sense of closeness, togetherness, and an emotional connection. People
often express and receive intimacy in different ways. For couples, intimacy can
encompass many different actions and moments, built over time through work and
open discussion.
Whether through words or actions, intimacy involves
a level of love, appreciation, and communication between partners. Sex, love,and intimacy are three different terms, and each can be expressed in different
ways. How people connect goes beyond gender and becomes about personality.
Forbes lister and the best IVF specialist in India Dr.Anubha Singh heartily encourage patients not to lose sight of their
relationship’s need for intimacy during fertility treatment. Intercourse is a
normal part of a couple’s relationship and that you shouldn’t be embarrassed to
talk with your physician about having sex during a fertility treatment cycle.
It’s stressful enough to go through infertility and
then make the choice to enter treatment. I don’t want my patients to totally
sacrifice their relationship. I tell them that they should not lose sight of
the need to focus on their relationship and their lives—it’s easy to lose sight
of everything in your life and let this consume your every thought. Many
marriages and relationships can suffer—maintaining intimacy and communication
is the key.
If you have any questions in your mind regarding IVF
Treatment or any other infertility problem then please do let us know. ShantahFertility Centre is an award winning IVF centre and has a dedicated staffavailable at help in one go. You can call us on +91 11 41040956 or +919958466687 and you can also visit our Facebook page for more information. We
are here to help you becoming parents.
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