Fertility Frequency

Ninety-two percent of couples can expect pregnancy to occur within 18 months of intercourse without contraception. If under age 25, some fertility experts recommend waiting between 18 months and a full two years. It is recommended that couples over age 25 visit a fertility clinic after unprotected intercourse for one full year.

Consider the following data from a study of fertile couples:

• Of those who make love 3 times a week, 51 percent conceive within 6 months of trying.
• Of those making love twice a week, 40 percent conceive within the first 6 months.
• Of those who make love once a week, 32 percent conceive within the first 6 months.
• Of those who make love less than once a week, only 16 percent conceive within the first 6 months.

Be sure that infrequent lovemaking is not the problem.