Here's Why You're Horny When Ovulating

Sex and pregnancy kind of go hand-in-hand (or you know, sperm-in-egg), but apparently, so does conception and your sex drive. Ever wondered, "Am I most fertile when I'm horny?" There's a good reason. Turns out, there is a correlation between wanting to get it on and your body preparing to ovulate.

Dr. Kameelah Phillips, an OB-GYN based in New York City, tells Romper that the connection has a pretty scientific purpose. "Many women experience a natural increase in their sex drive during the time of ovulation," she says. "This is nature's way of making sure that sperm are waiting for the egg when ovulation occurs. Because the egg is only viable for 12 to 24 hours, it makes sense that a woman's sex drive is increased during ovulation to maximize her changes of becoming pregnant."

Yeah, science. Basically, your body is horny because it wants you to make a baby and your libido increases during ovulation so that your body is giving itself the best chance possible at getting pregnant. In fact, the American Pregnancy Association noted an increased sex drive as one of the symptoms of ovulation.

Of course, it's possible to be horny without ovulating, but if you notice that there's a specific time each month when you feel most into sex, you can reasonably assume that it's also your most fertile time. However, it takes more than just feeling horny to get pregnant. "If the sex drive is increased in correlation with the timing of ovulation, than that increases the likelihood of pregnancy because the egg and sperm have a greater chance of meeting," Phillips says. "But it is the timing of the ovulation, not the sex drive alone, that drives the chances of pregnancy. If the sex drive is increased and the woman is not scheduled to ovulate, then enjoy it, but it is less likely a pregnancy will result."

On the same note, just because you aren't feeling especially horny doesn't mean you aren't ovulating. There are other signs of ovulation and an increased sex drive isn't the only deciding factor in fertility. Baby-making sex isn't always fun or intimate, so go easy on yourself if you're planning to get it on during ovulation, even if you don't feel especially up to it.