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.

But what happens if you have sex during the time of ovulation, and there’s already an egg waiting to be fertilized? In this case, conception can occur mere minutes after sexual intercourse. Studies have shown that sperm take, on average, between two and 10 minutes to travel from the cervix through to the fallopian tubes where they hope to meet an egg. This action occurs regardless of gravity; sperm can swim through the uterus no matter what position your body is in.

Where Does Conception Occcur?

Many people assume that fertilization happens in the uterus, but this isn’t correct. The sperm cells actually meet the egg in the fallopian tubes, and this is where conception occurs.

How Long After Sex Does Implantation Occur?

To form a pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterine wall. To do this, it must travel from the fallopian tubes into the uterus, and it also needs to go through several developmental stages.

You’re not technically pregnant until the embryo becomes implanted in the uterus. Implantation generally takes place six to 12 days following conception. Some people notice signs of implantation, which might include light bleeding and cramping, but most don’t have any symptoms.

How Fast Can You Get Pregnant While Trying to Conceive?

Many people think they’ll get pregnant soon after they start trying to conceive. In reality, some people will be successful after one month, while others need to try for several months.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), couples in their 20s or early 30s have a 25-30% chance of conceiving each month-and this number decreases as the person ages. One study focused on 1,400 people who had planned their pregnancy, and it found that as many as 44% of them said it took longer than expected.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive within six months of regular unprotected sex (or one year if you’re over 35 years old). If you’re experiencing infertility, make an appointment with a fertility specialist, who might be able to help you treat the problem.

Can You Improve Your Chances of Conceiving?

Want to increase your chances of conception? Start by understanding your menstrual cycle and fertile window. It’s important to have sex around the time of ovulation (when the ovary releases a mature egg) for the best chances of success. There are various ways to determine ovulation, including the following: