Tunde Ajaja

Sex has suitably been described as one of the sweetest things on earth. Thus, it is not for nothing that some people lose their composure or start vibrating when they are about having a session. It is that exciting, more so with the unrivalled enjoyment and ultimate excitement that often accompany it.

But beyond these, it is (almost) a necessary activity for procreation, the importance of which cannot be overemphasised in marriage.

Inasmuch as couples who are desirous of having babies engage in this all-too-important activity, some women end up not conceiving, in spite of ‘doing it’ at the ‘right time of the month’ and observing a host of other things that could help boost their chances, such as abstinence from alcohol and being conscious of their diet, among other things. Some people have also argued that fertility problems have increased over the years, but it appears there is more to it.

However, given that sex is more of a compulsory activity for those desirous of conception, one other thing people may not have paid due attention to when it comes to conception is the issue of sexual position.

This implies that apart from having frequent sex and taking full advantage of the fertile (ovulation) period, knowing the right position for both the man and the woman is just as important. Worthy of note, however, is the fact that the concept of sexual position and conception has been widely debated and is still shrouded in some myths.
Interestingly, when it comes to sexual relationship, variety in styles is allowed, and according to thehealthsite.com, these styles range from missionary, doggy, glowing triangle, magic mountain, wheelbarrow, cowgirl, spooning, plough style, butterfly to head over heels, among others. But one style that has been found to aid conception is the missionary style, which involves the woman lying on her back and the man on top.

According to some scientists, this method does not only enable the man to have a deeper penetration, it also allows the sperm to travel faster and closer to the cervix (the opening of the womb), noting that the tip of the penis could be as close to the cervix. They also pointed out that the doggy style could also achieve same objective by placing the sperm close to the cervix from the rear end.

Beyond this, when a woman places a pillow below her hips, it was found that it helps the sperm to travel deeper towards the direction of the cervix.

A fertility expert, Dr. Marilyn Glenville, told Mail Online that couples who are desirous of having babies should pay more attention to the position they take during and immediately after sex, adding that such could appreciably determine whether the woman would be pregnant or not. She noted that once the man ejaculates, position plays a huge role in the movement of sperm to the cervix and the fallopian tube.
Glenville said, “The man-on-top position has the best chance of getting a woman pregnant. The rationale is that this position allows for deep penetration so the man’s sperm can be ejaculated as close to the cervix (the opening of the womb) as possible.

“This gives the sperm cells a flying start on their long journey. The closer they are to the ripe egg waiting in the fallopian tube, several centimeters further up in a woman’s body, the more likely they are to reach it. This implies that couples should avoid any position that discourages the sperm’s smooth journey because it can deter conception.

“If a man enters a woman from behind, especially if she is kneeling in front of him, she is at an angle, with her bottom higher than her head (doggy style), it could also encourage conception. The chances might be maximised if the woman leans the upper half of her body a little away from her partner, pushing her bottom against him. The only exception to this would be if the woman has a retroverted uterus.”

Also, two biologists, Robin Baker and Mark Bellis, told Mail Online that the strong muscular contractions linked to orgasm tend to create a partial vacuum that helps to draw the sperm from the vagina to the cervix, where it would be in a better position to reach an egg.

Even though Glenville didn’t support her claim with any scientific study, she maintained that the closer the sperm are to the eggs, the more likely there would be conception.

Meanwhile, experts have advised that couples hoping for a conception should not stop having sex, both within and outside the woman’s fertile period, noting that apart from increasing the chance of conception, it boosts the woman’s immune system and promotes the type of immunity that could support conception.

The study by some researchers from Indiana University, found that women who are sexually active experience beneficial changes to the levels of antibodies secreted by their white blood cells, which was absent in women who abstained from sex.

Also, a women’s health expert, Donnica Moore, on webmd.com warned that women who are trying to conceive should avoid having a bath immediately after sex, noting that douching tends to alter the pH balance of the vagina as against the alkaline-acid levels needed by the sperm to live.

Reacting to the study, a consultant endocrinologist, Dr. Michael Olamoyegun, dismissed the idea that women should not stand up immediately after sex to allow the retention of sperm in their private part, saying it could not be true. “It’s a fallacy that a woman shouldn’t stand up after sex. It doesn’t matter, and for the sexual position, I’ve not come across any study on it, so I won’t be able to comment on that,” he added.

Olamoyegun explained that women used to be seen as being responsible for infertility but that studies had shown that 40 per cent of the factors responsible for infertility is caused by women, another 40 per cent by men, 10 per cent is caused by both men and women and the reason for the remaining 10 per cent is yet unknown.
He added, “Blocked fallopian tube is another cause of infertility in women, and this could be due to sexually transmitted diseases, possibly occasioned by the way people now get involved in unprotected sex, leading to pelvic inflammatory diseases that could cause obstruction of the fallopian tube. Also, when abortion is not properly done, it could block the fallopian tube. These are some of the reasons why there seems to be an increase in infertility rate.”

Also, a nutritionist, Mr. Okunola Oladimeji, said nutrition and lifestyle had roles to play in the fertility or otherwise in both men and women. He identified certain food items that couples should eat and those to avoid for a hitch-free conception and good sex life.

He added, “Food items that couples should endeavour to consume regularly, some of which had been found to increase blood flow, include fruits, vegetables, albumen (egg white), food rich in Vitamin C, nuts, including walnut, groundnut, etc, and garlic, which should be in moderate quantity. Of particular importance is water melon, which has been found to boost sexual powers in men and women.

“Also, people should avoid include processed food items and yolk (the yellow part of an egg) and others.”

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