Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on June 9, 2004
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Human Reproduction, Vol. 19, No. 7, 1539-1543,
July 2004
© 2004 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology
On the frequency of intercourse around ovulation: evidence for biological influences
1 Epidemiology Branch, 2 Biostatistics Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, USA, 3 Westat, Inc., Durham, NC, USA, 4 Biomonitoring and Health Assessment Branch, Division of Applied Research and Technology, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
5 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Epidemiology Branch, MD A3-05, P.O.Box 12233, Durham NC 27709, USA. e-mail wilcox{at}niehs.nih.gov
BACKGROUND: Intercourse in mammals is often coordinated with ovulation, for example through fluctuations in libido or by the acceleration of ovulation with intercourse. Such coordination has not been established in humans. We explored this possibility by examining patterns of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. METHODS: Sixty-eight sexually active North Carolina women with either an intrauterine device or tubal ligation provided data for up to three menstrual cycles. These women collected daily urine specimens and kept daily diaries of intercourse and menstrual bleeding. Major estrogen and progesterone metabolites excreted in urine were used to identify the day of ovulation. The fertile days of the cycle were defined as the 6 consecutive days ending with ovulation. Women contributed a total of 171 ovulatory cycles. Menstrual bleeding days were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of intercourse rose during the follicular phase, peaking at ovulation and declining abruptly thereafter. The 6 consecutive days with most frequent intercourse corresponded with the 6 fertile days of the menstrual cycle. Intercourse was 24% more frequent during the 6 fertile days than during the remaining non-bleeding days (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There apparently are biological factors that promote intercourse during a woman’s 6 fertile days.
Key words: intercourse/ovulation
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