Fecundability
Fecundability is the chance that a couple conceives during a single cycle. Researchers use it to compare how quickly different groups conceive, and they usually report it as a ratio between two groups.
Timing moves it. In a model of higher-fertility couples having intercourse twice a week, average time to pregnancy was 1.9 cycles when intercourse was aimed at the fertile days and 3.0 cycles when it was spread evenly.1 In a cohort of 8,363 women trying to conceive, those using a cycle app had a 12 to 20 percent higher chance per cycle, although the study was observational and the apps may not be the cause.2
Cited in this entry
- Dunson DB, Stanford JB. Effects of sexual intercourse patterns in time to pregnancy studies. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17289774/
- Stanford JB, Willis SK, Hatch EE, Rothman KJ, Wise LA. Fecundability in relation to use of mobile computing apps to track the menstrual cycle. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England). 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32910202/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
