Sex is a natural, healthy, and intimate part of any marriage. Suddenly though, when undergoing infertility treatment, it can seem that your sex life is fair game for an entire office of complete strangers. You'll find yourself discussing your partner's sperm count, your cervical mucus, and your menstrual flow in great detail. In addition, being instructed to have sex by your doctor because you're ovulating can really kill the mood. Under those conditions, it's no wonder that many couples face issues with their sexual life.

Each clinic will have their own guidelines, and it is important to ask what their expectations are before you start treatment. Generally speaking, it is okay to have intercourse throughout your treatment time, but there may be times when you are asked to abstain. This is usually because they want your partner's sperm count to be optimal before having IUI or IVF. This period of abstinence is usually around two to three days, though it can be as long as five days before the procedure.