

When couples start trying to conceive, sex often begins to change. What was once spontaneous and pleasure-focused can slowly become scheduled, goal-oriented and tied to fertility windows. While this shift is common, it can place pressure on sexual desire and affect intimacy in a relationship.
Research shows that many couples experience a decline in sexual desire while trying to conceive. Stress, anxiety and the pressure to perform can take the focus away from connection and enjoyment. Over time, this can affect not only sex, but also emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction.
Understanding how sex changes during this phase and learning how to protect intimacy in a relationship can help couples stay connected while navigating their fertility journey.
Quick answer: Sex while trying to conceive often becomes pressured and goal-focused, which can reduce desire and intimacy in a relationship. Maintaining connection requires reducing performance pressure, prioritising pleasure and nurturing emotional closeness both in and outside the bedroom.
Trying to conceive often turns sex into a task. Timing intercourse around ovulation, tracking cycles and focusing on outcomes can unintentionally shift sex away from pleasure. Instead of being about connection, sex may start to feel like a responsibility.
This change can affect how partners relate to one another. When sex is only associated with conception, it may lose its playful, curious and intimate qualities. Over time, this can impact intimacy in a relationship and create emotional distance if not addressed.
Recognising that this shift is common is an important first step. It allows couples to approach the situation with compassion rather than blame.
Sex while trying to conceive often comes with performance pressure. There may be an unspoken expectation that sex must happen at specific times and in specific ways for pregnancy to occur. This pressure can create anxiety and reduce natural sexual desire.
Performance pressure can make it difficult to stay present during intimacy. When attention is focused on outcomes rather than experience, enjoyment often decreases. This can lead to frustration for both partners and affect emotional connection.
Reducing pressure is key to maintaining both sexual desire and intimacy in a relationship during this stage.
A drop in sexual desire while trying to conceive is extremely common. Stress, anxiety and emotional strain can all influence libido. When sex becomes linked to obligation rather than choice, desire often responds by pulling back.
Desire is sensitive to context. When intimacy feels pressured or emotionally heavy, it can be difficult for desire to emerge naturally. This does not mean attraction is gone or that something is wrong. It often means that the conditions supporting desire need attention.
Understanding this normal response can help couples avoid interpreting low desire as rejection or failure.
One effective strategy discussed in the transcript is scheduling non-procreative sex. This means intentionally setting aside time for sex that is not focused on trying to get pregnant.
Non-procreative sex allows couples to reconnect with pleasure, curiosity and playfulness. Removing the goal of conception helps reduce anxiety and reminds partners that sex can still be enjoyable and meaningful.
Approaching these moments without expectation supports intimacy in a relationship and can help rebuild desire over time.
Exploring pleasure is another way to protect intimacy while trying to conceive. Trying new positions, fantasies or sensory experiences can help sex feel exciting again rather than repetitive or task-based.
The goal is not to add pressure, but to introduce novelty and curiosity. Open communication and mutual consent are essential when exploring new ideas. When partners feel safe expressing desires, intimacy often deepens.
Pleasure-focused exploration can help shift sex back into a space of connection rather than performance.
Intimacy in a relationship is not limited to sex. Emotional closeness, shared experiences and quality time all contribute to how connected partners feel.
Prioritising intimacy outside of sex can reduce pressure in the bedroom. Activities like regular date nights, shared hobbies or simply making intentional time for one another help maintain emotional bonds during the fertility journey.
When emotional connection is strong, sexual intimacy often feels more natural and less forced.
For some couples, trying to conceive is not straightforward. Fertility challenges can be emotionally taxing and may affect both sexual desire and relationship dynamics.
During these times, it becomes even more important to prioritise emotional connection and self-care. Seeking support from a clinical sexologist or therapist can help couples navigate these challenges without losing intimacy in a relationship.
Support is not a sign of failure. It is a proactive step toward protecting both mental health and partnership strength.
If trying to conceive begins to strain intimacy, communication or emotional wellbeing, professional support can be valuable. Talking to a specialist can help couples address pressure, manage expectations and rebuild connection.
Support may also involve simple practices such as slowing down, checking in emotionally or redefining what intimacy looks like during this phase.
The goal is not perfection, but connection.
Sex while trying to conceive often changes in ways that can affect desire and intimacy in a relationship. Pressure, stress and goal-focused sex can unintentionally reduce pleasure and emotional closeness.
Maintaining intimacy during this time requires conscious effort. Reducing performance pressure, scheduling non-procreative sex, exploring pleasure and nurturing emotional connection all help couples stay connected. By prioritising intimacy in a relationship, couples can protect their bond while navigating the challenges of trying to conceive.
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00:00:00 Today, I will be exploring the topic maintaining sexual desire and intimacy while trying to conceive. Hello and welcome. My name is Shazia Dadabhai. I am an internationally accredited clinical sexologist, and I'm honored to be partnering with the Copenhagen-based app Concevio to bring you this conversation. When trying to conceive, it's common for sex to become more focused on making a baby rather than on pleasure and intimacy. But this shift in focus can have some unintended negative consequences on sexual desire and the overall relationship. But this shift in focus can have some unintended negative consequences on sexual desire and the overall relationship. Research suggests that up to 40% of couples experience a decline in sexual desire when trying to conceive.
00:00:47 And this can be due to a range of factors like stress, anxiety, or overall pressure to perform. So how can you maintain your sexual spark while trying to conceive? I'm going to give you three strategies that just might help. I'm going to give you three strategies that just might help. Firstly, schedule regular non-procreative sex. What this means is setting aside time to have sex that is not focused on having a baby. And I want for you to approach this type of sex with a sense of playfulness and curiosity, rather than expectation and pressure.
00:01:22 Secondly, explore new positions, toys or fantasies. This can help keep sex exciting and help prevent it from feeling stale. This can help keep sex exciting and help prevent it from feeling stale. For example, you might want to delve into the world of sensual props and toys. You could try things like vibrators, impact toys, rope or candles. Always remember to communicate these desires and fantasies with your partner while prioritizing mutual consent and pleasure. Thirdly, prioritize intimacy and connection outside of sex.
00:01:59 Now, this might mean scheduling regular date nights. Now, this might mean scheduling regular date nights. It could mean prioritizing or practicing emotional connection and closeness. Or it could simply mean making time for each other. An example or idea for a date night could be maybe trying something new and exciting, like a vacation or staycation to spice things up. Alternatively, you could just try something like a new class together, Perhaps painting, dancing, there's so much out there that we often overlook when it comes to experiences with our partner.
00:02:22 Perhaps painting, dancing, there's so much out there that we often overlook when it comes to experiences with our partner. Remember, the goal is to connect and have fun with each other, not to add more stress or pressure. Of course, not everyone's journey to conception is straightforward. Fertility challenges can be emotionally taxing, and sexual desire and relationships can suffer as a result. If you're navigating fertility challenges, it's important to prioritize your physical, emotional, and sexual connection to your partner and yourself. If you're navigating fertility challenges, it's important to prioritize your physical, emotional, and sexual connection to your partner and yourself. This might mean seeking support from a clinical sexologist like myself, practicing self-care, or simply making time for each other. Thank you for watching and don't forget to check out the Conceivio app for more resources and support on your fertility journey.