Timing Intercourse & Saliva

In 1992 Danish scientists published a study suggesting that sperm counts in men worldwide had declined about 50 percent since 1940 and the story made headline news (1). This study was authored by research fellow Elisabeth Carlsen and a team of scientists (2). Carlsen and her colleagues analyzed the results of over 60 studies of sperm counts published between 1938 and 1991…the results of the meta-analysis indicated average sperm counts declined from 113 million per milliliter (ml) of semen to 66 million per ml during the half century for which they had data. The studies came from around the world, with about half from in the U.S.

Why sperm counts have fallen is still open for debate. Some scientists believe it is from environmental toxins while others reduce it to tight underwear. Regardless, sperm counts have fallen and need to be recognized as a possible factor when determining unexplained infertility. This is a very sensitive topic in some households and needs to be approached with gentleness and understanding. Traditionally men have been conditioned to believe they need to be strong and virile to be husbands and fathers. When their virility is in question some get defensive and hurt. In most instances, once this topic is discussed in an open and honest manner, most men have no problem taking the test.

Unfortunately some couples have difficulty achieving pregnancy only because they are planning intercourse at the wrong time and often seek medical attention for presumed infertility. Due to time constraints and the complexity of fertility problems, many GPs refer couples to specialists when all that was required was an educational product that laid out the process of fertility awareness in a simple step-by-step manner.

If a low sperm count is determined to be a factor, it is important to plan intercourse to ensure sperm quality. If the sperm count is normal, intercourse can occur every day without compromising quality. If it is below normal then intercourse should occur every 48 hours. Sub-fertile semen also requires a bit of recovery time - it is recommended that intercourse occur every 72 hours to optimize results. The Ovu-Trac® helps couples determine when a woman is entering her fertile phase so they can effectively plan intercourse.

(1) No new dads in the plant. Farm chemical suspended.' Grants Pass Daily Courier. August 5,1977. 3.
(2) Carlsen, E., et al. 1992. Evidence for decreasing quality of semen during the past 50 years. Brit Med. J. 305:609-613.