Conception can happen within minutes, hours, or even days after having sex. Learn what factors influence the timing of implantation and fertilization.
We know that intercourse leads to pregnancy, but people often wonder how soon after sex you can get pregnant. As it turns out, multiple variables are at play, so the answer isn’t exact. You could conceive within minutes, it could take a few days, or you might not get pregnant at all.
Keep reading to learn how long after sex implantation occurs, how to maximize your chances of conceiving, and when you can expect pregnancy symptoms to begin.
When Does Conception Happen?
Conception occurs when sperm fertilizes an egg in the reproductive tract. It can take place minutes after sex, or it might happen up to six days later.
Here’s the reason for the variation: Sperm can survive inside the female reproductive system for up to five days, while the egg survives 12-24 hours after it’s released from the ovary. You can conceive anytime during this six-day fertile window.
In other words, the day you have sex isn’t necessarily the day you get pregnant. If you had sex on Monday and ovulated on Thursday, for example, the sperm might still exist in the reproductive tract to form a pregnancy. Continue reading When Does Conception Occur? Here’s How Long It Takes to Get Pregnant