by Getting pregnant can often be a challenging journey for many couples. However, a recent study conducted by Cochrane, in collaboration with Oxford University, the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and the Princess Anne Hospital, has revealed a key strategy that may increase the likelihood of conception. The study found that scheduled sexual intercourse guided by urine-based ovulation tests can significantly boost rates of live births and pregnancies among women under 40 who have been trying to conceive for less than a year.
The analysis involved a review of seven randomized controlled trials, which included a total of 2,464 women or couples who had been attempting to conceive. The study focused on identifying the most effective method of timing intercourse during a woman’s menstrual cycle, as there is only a narrow window of opportunity for successful conception.
The methods used to determine the timing of ovulation included urine ovulation tests, fertility awareness-based methods (FABM), and ultrasound. The urine ovulation tests detect changes in hormones released into the urine, signaling when ovulation is about to occur. FABM involves tracking the menstrual cycle through methods such as calendar tracking, monitoring changes in cervix fluid, and measuring body temperature. Ultrasound is used to confirm the release of the egg.
The findings of the study revealed that timing intercourse around the fertile period using urine ovulation tests increased the chances of pregnancy and live birth by 20% to 28% compared to not using ovulation tests. This increase in success rates was specifically observed in women under 40 who had been trying to conceive for less than 12 months.
Tatjana Gibbons, a DPhil researcher at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health and lead author of the study, expressed excitement about the findings. She stated, “The finding that a simple and easily available urine test can increase a couple’s chance of successful conception is quite exciting because it can empower couples with more control over their fertility journey and could potentially reduce the need for infertility investigations and treatments.”
While the results are promising, the researchers cautioned that the studies included in the analysis were often funded by the manufacturers of the urine ovulation tests. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution. Additionally, there was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of other methods, such as FABM, in timed intercourse or the use of ovulation prediction.
Overall, this study highlights the potential benefits of using urine ovulation tests to increase the odds of conception for couples trying to get pregnant. It provides valuable insights into a simple and accessible method that may empower couples and potentially reduce the need for further fertility investigations and treatments.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
