The Shettles Method: Complete Guide
The Shettles Method is a decades-old theory that claims couples can influence their baby's sex simply by timing intercourse around ovulation. It's still widely discussed online and in baby forums, so it's worth understanding what it actually claims, why it hasn't held up to scrutiny, and what it means if you tried it and are now expecting.
What the Shettles Method Claims
Developed by Dr Landrum Shettles in the 1960s, the method is built on an idea about the two types of sperm that determine sex.
- Y-chromosome (boy-producing) sperm are theorised to swim faster but survive for a shorter time.
- X-chromosome (girl-producing) sperm are theorised to be slower but more resilient, surviving longer in the reproductive tract.
- Based on this, the method suggests having intercourse as close to ovulation as possible to favour a boy, since faster Y sperm would reach the egg first.
- To favour a girl, it suggests intercourse two to three days before ovulation, then abstaining, so that only the longer-lived X sperm remain viable by the time the egg is released.
- Some versions of the method also suggest specific positions or timing around orgasm, though these additions have even less evidence behind them than the core timing theory.
Why the Theory Hasn't Been Supported
Research looking into sperm behaviour and conception timing has not consistently found the speed and lifespan differences the method relies on, and studies specifically testing whether timed intercourse changes the odds of a boy or girl have not shown a reliable effect. In practice, the method performs at around the same rate as chance — roughly 50/50 — which is exactly what you'd expect if sex were determined by the usual biological process rather than by timing intercourse. This puts it in the same category as other well-known pieces of gender folklore, such as bump shape or craving type, none of which have been shown to genuinely predict or influence a baby's sex.
If You Tried It and Are Now Pregnant
Plenty of people try the Shettles Method simply out of curiosity or a mild preference, and it's completely normal to wonder afterwards whether it worked. Whatever the outcome turns out to be, remember that conception timing around ovulation is also simply good practice for trying to conceive at all, regardless of sex — so if you're now pregnant, that's likely the real reason, not the boy-or-girl targeting. Your baby's sex was set at the moment of fertilisation and won't be confirmed until a scan, blood test, or birth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Shettles Method actually work?
No, not reliably. Multiple studies looking at sperm behaviour and conception timing have not supported the theory that timing intercourse around ovulation changes the odds of having a boy or girl. Accuracy sits at roughly the same rate as chance.
Can I really choose my baby's sex through timing?
Not through the Shettles Method or any other timing-based approach available to couples conceiving naturally. Sex selection with any meaningful reliability requires specific fertility treatments, which are tightly regulated in the UK and generally only available for medical reasons, not personal preference.
Is there any harm in trying the Shettles Method?
No, timing intercourse around ovulation is not harmful, and it's also a sensible approach if you're simply trying to conceive, regardless of which sex you're hoping for. Just go in with realistic expectations about the sex-selection claims specifically.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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