Trying to get pregnant can be an exciting yet stressful time. There are so many things to think about and tips to follow when you are actively trying to conceive. One common question that comes up is whether it is okay to pee after having sex when trying to get pregnant. The short answer is yes, peeing after sex will not affect your chances of conception. However, there are some important things to understand about why peeing after sex is recommended when trying to conceive.
Is it necessary to pee after sex when trying to conceive?
Peeing after sex is generally recommended when trying to get pregnant for a few key reasons:
- It helps flush out the urethra – Peeing can help clear out any sperm that may be left behind in the urethra after ejaculation. This prevents any risk of the sperm getting washed into the bladder rather than making its way up the cervix.
- It prevents UTIs – Peeing after sex helps clear bacteria from the urethra, reducing the risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs can be detrimental when trying to conceive since they can impact fertility.
- It’s good general hygiene – Clearing out the urethra by peeing after sex is just a healthy hygiene practice to prevent bacteria build up and infection in the urinary tract.
So in short, peeing after sex is recommended as it reduces the risk of any sperm being washed away from the cervix and also helps maintain a healthy urinary tract. However, not peeing after sex does not mean you can’t get pregnant.
Does peeing flush out sperm?
One common conception myth is that peeing after sex will flush out sperm and prevent pregnancy. However, this is not true. Here’s why:
- Sperm travel quickly – Once ejaculated, sperm very quickly travel up through the cervix and into the uterus. This happens within minutes.
- The cervix traps sperm – The opening of the cervix is designed to trap sperm and keep it in the uterus. Peeing cannot flush out sperm once it has passed the cervix.
- A little bit of leakage is normal – It’s normal for some semen and sperm to leak out after sex. But the majority of sperm stay trapped in cervical mucus.
- The uterus traps and transports sperm – The uterus actively works to transport sperm to the fallopian tubes. Peeing does not interfere with uterine contractions that move sperm.
So while a small number of sperm may get cleared out by peeing, the vast majority of sperm will be safely inside the uterus within minutes of ejaculation. Peeing cannot completely flush them out.
When is the best time to pee after sex when trying to conceive?
Ideally, you should try to pee within 30 minutes after having sex when trying to get pregnant. Here’s why the 30 minute timeframe is recommended:
- Allows sperm time to reach uterus – It takes sperm about 5-30 minutes to travel from the vagina through the cervix and into the uterus. You want to allow enough time for this.
- Clears urethra before bacteria builds up – Peeing within 30 minutes helps flush out the urethra before bacteria has time to grow, preventing UTIs.
- Prevents sperm backflow – Some sperm may initially leak out of the vagina. Peeing quickly stops backflow by clearing the urethra.
- Lets you lie down after sex – You can lay down and elevate your pelvis after peeing, giving sperm optimal time to swim upstream.
Peeing more than 30 minutes after sex may be less effective for sperm retention since gravity has more time to cause backflow. However, conception can still occur if you wait longer to pee or even forget to pee at all. The 30 minute timeframe just optimizes the process.
Will peeing after sex decrease your chances of getting pregnant?
Overall, peeing after intercourse does not decrease your chances of conception if done within a reasonable timeframe. Here’s a recap of how peeing after sex impacts fertility:
- Most sperm safely in uterus before peeing – 85% of sperm reach the uterus within 5 minutes of sex. Peeing after allows transportation.
- Sperm swim speed beats pee flow – Sperm swim at 3-4 mm per minute while urine flows at 1-2 mm per second. Sperm are long gone before peeing.
- Cervix seals shut during orgasm – When you orgasm, the cervix seals shut with mucus to contain sperm. Peeing doesn’t reopen the cervix.
- Some leakage is normal – A small bit of backflow and sperm leakage is expected. Peeing stops extra leakage.
- UTI risk reduced – Peeing flushes bacteria from your urethra, preventing UTIs that could impact conception.
The bottom line is that peeing immediately after sex should not significantly impact your chances of getting pregnant. In fact, it likely helps by minimizing risks like UTIs. Just don’t wait too long to pee after sex when TTC.
Tips for peeing after sex to conceive
If you want to try to optimize sperm retention and get pregnant faster, here are some tips for peeing after intercourse:
- Pee within 5-30 minutes if you can – Don’t pee immediately but don’t wait longer than 30 minutes either.
- Wipe front to back – Wipe any semen away from your vagina first before wiping the urethra to prevent pushing sperm the wrong way.
- Sit and lean forward to pee – hovering over the toilet may cause you to not fully empty your bladder.
- Wipe and wash the area after – This removes any remaining semen and bacteria near your urethra.
- Lie down after – Allow sperm optimal transport by lying down right after peeing.
- Stay down for 10-15 mins – Give yourself 10-15 minutes laying down before getting up.
- Repeat sex daily – Have sex every 1-2 days around ovulation so fresh sperm keeps replenishing.
Following these simple tips can help optimize your chances of conception each cycle when combined with an overall healthy conception routine. But don’t stress if you occasionally deviate from the perfect routine. Focus on having fun and regular sex during your fertile window.
When should you avoid peeing after sex?
The only times you may want to avoid peeing right after sex when trying to conceive are:
- Using a conception device – Devices like Instead Cups are designed to hold sperm right near the cervix. Peeing can flush out the device.
- Having conception assistance – Procedures like IUI require implanted sperm to stay put. Speak to your doctor.
- Prone to UTIs – If you get frequent UTIs, always prioritize peeing to flush bacteria.
- Post-sex pain or burning – Go pee immediately if you have pain which could signal an infection.
Otherwise, there aren’t many circumstances when you should avoid peeing after intercourse if you are trying to get pregnant. Just use common sense based on any conception assistance you may be using or medical issues you have.
Key takeaways on peeing after sex when trying to conceive
Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind on whether you should pee after having sex to get pregnant:
- Peeing won’t flush out sperm – Sperm reach the uterus too quickly to get flushed out by peeing.
- Pee 5-30 mins after sex – This gives sperm time to reach the uterus but clears bacteria before UTIs form.
- Always pee if you have burning – Burning could signal infection so pee to clear bacteria right away.
- Empty bladder fully when you pee – Sit and lean forward to better empty your bladder after sex.
- Lying down after peeing can help – Keep pelvis elevated after peeing to give sperm an optimal journey.
- It’s okay if you occasionally forget – Conception can still occur if you don’t pee sometimes or wait longer before peeing.
While peeing after sex is generally recommended, don’t obsess over perfect timing. Focus on enjoying the journey to parenthood and having frequent, well-timed intercourse. Relaxing and having fun is key for natural conception success.
Frequently asked questions
Can sperm come out when you pee?
In most cases, peeing after sex will not cause sperm to come out. Since sperm quickly enter the cervix, the urine stream does not pull them back out. However, a small amount of semen or leakage is normal. Peeing stops extra semen flow.
Should you pee and wash after sex while trying to conceive?
It’s a good idea to pee after sex to flush your urethra, and also wash your vaginal area with mild soap and water. This removes any bacteria or seminal fluid near your urethra, preventing infections. Just avoid douching or using strong chemical soaps which can irritate your reproductive tract.
Is it bad to stand up right after sex to conceive?
It’s best to remain lying down for about 10-15 minutes after sex to give sperm time to swim through the cervix. However, you can still conceive even if you get up sooner. After lying down, get up slowly and go pee within 30 minutes before resuming normal activity.
How long should you lie down after sex to conceive?
Ideally, lie down for 10-15 minutes post-sex with your hips elevated. This lets gravity help sperm travel to meet the egg. However, any amount of lying down for even a few minutes can help. Don’t stress if you can’t stay down for too long before having to pee.
What are the best conception positions?
Some recommended conception positions include:
- Missionary – Allows deep penetration to deposit sperm right near the cervix.
- Doggy style – Also permits deep penetration and hits the vaginal fornices.
- Fertility cushions – Helps tilt the pelvis to aid sperm transport to the cervix.
- Side-by-side – Keeps semen pool near the cervix rather than leaking out.
Focus on positions that allow for deep penetration and keep semen contained in the vaginal canal near the cervix.
The takeaway
It is perfectly okay and even recommended to pee after having sex when trying to get pregnant. Peeing does not flush out sperm or ruin your chances since sperm quickly enter the uterus. Ideally, pee within 5-30 minutes after sex and then lie down to give sperm ample transport time. While optimum conception tips can help, don’t obsess over the perfect routine. Just focus on enjoying the baby making journey.