Having sex twice in one night might be able to increase your chances of pregnancy – here’s why

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or trying not to get pregnant, understanding how our bodies work can be hella confusing.

Occasionally things that seem obvious are still misunderstood (no, a penis cannot touch the baby’s head while having sex, yes, you can still pregnant on your period) while other times, it turns out carrying a small human can have some bizarre symptoms.

So, on that subject, it’s probably worth knowing that having sex twice in one night may, in fact, increase your chances of getting pregnant. And that’s not just because the odds are more in your favour.

Does having sex twice help you get pregnant?

Previous research run by Dr Da Li at Shengjing University, for example, suggests that sperm produced in a second ejaculation has a higher density of proteins, which speed up the sperm – making it more likely to fertilise an egg.

The results, published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, also found that using sperm produced no more than 180 minutes after a man last climaxed could boost IVF success rates.

The study in practice

During the study, researchers at the hospital tested 500 couples who were preparing for IVF. The men were asked to give semen samples at different times after their first ejaculation. The embryos were implanted into the women, with the results showing that those who had ejaculated within hours of the first time were more likely to fall pregnant.

Until then, it had generally been advised that couples trying to fall pregnant wait two days between having sex.

Dr Li said at the time: “For years, men have usually been advised to limit sexual activity to increase the chances of pregnancy. However, it’s time to change our minds.

“Our data indicates couples with relatively normal semen parameters should have frequent sex around the ovulation period. This could make all the difference to their efforts to start a family.”

It is worth noting, however, that the study size of this project was small (the study of 500 couples and some earlier studies on individual men’s semen), and it was highlighted more research was needed to confirm the findings. As it stands, the NHS still recommends “having sex every two to three days ” for those trying to fall pregnant.

How to increase your chances of pregnancy

While having sex twice in one night could potentially help, it’s also important to be aware of the health service’s full list of approved ways to increase your chances of pregnancy. These include:

Have sex every two to three days without using contraception – make sure sperm enters the vagina

Try to have sex around the time you are ovulating – this is usually 12 to 16 days before your period starts
Try to maintain a healthy weight, cut down or stop drinking alcohol and do not smoke – it can help if your partner does this too

Plus, it’s important to take folic acid every day, eat a healthy diet, and drink no more than one to two units of alcohol once or twice a week to help your baby develop healthily.