Can you increase your chances of having a boy or girl by timing sex around ovulation? The Shettles Method says you can.
Developed by American physician Dr. Landrum B. Shettles, the method is based on the theory that X-bearing sperm (girl) and Y-bearing sperm (boy) behave differently.
According to the theory, Y sperm are faster but less durable, while X sperm are slower but survive longer. Therefore, the method recommends timing intercourse differently depending on whether you are trying for a boy or girl.
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Trying for a Boy 👦
According to the Shettles Method, couples should have sex as close to ovulation as possible, ideally when ovulation is about to occur.
The theory is that the faster Y-bearing sperm may reach the egg first.
Trying for a Girl 👧
For a girl, the method recommends having sex about 2–3 days before ovulation and avoiding intercourse close to ovulation.
The theory is that the longer-lasting X-bearing sperm may still be present when the egg is released.
How to Calculate Your Ovulation Day
You don’t need complicated calculations.
Cycle length − 14 = estimated ovulation day
For example:
- 28-day cycle: 28 − 14 = Day 14
- 30-day cycle: 30 − 14 = Day 16
- 32-day cycle: 32 − 14 = Day 18
- 26-day cycle: 26 − 14 = Day 12
Day 1 is the first day of your period.
For example, if your period starts on September 1 and you have a 28-day cycle, your estimated ovulation day is around September 14.
How to Get a Better Estimate
Calendar calculation is only an estimate. You can improve your understanding of your fertile period by watching for clear, slippery cervical mucus or using an ovulation predictor kit, which detects the hormonal surge that usually occurs shortly before ovulation.
So, Does It Really Work?
This is where you need to be careful.
The Shettles Method is popular, but scientific research has not established that timing intercourse can reliably determine whether you will have a boy or girl.
So, while you can use your menstrual cycle to identify when you are most fertile, the Shettles Method should be viewed as a theory, not a guarantee.
In simple terms:
👦 Boy: Sex close to ovulation.
👧 Girl: Sex 2–3 days before ovulation.
If pregnancy is your main goal, don’t limit intercourse so strictly that you miss your fertile window.
