How to Increase Your Chances of Having a Girl

No scientifically proven method guarantees conceiving a girl, though timing and diet theories remain.

The idea that you can sway the odds toward a baby girl has fascinated parents for generations. Old wives’ tales suggest everything from specific sexual positions to eating certain foods. In the age of ovulation tracking and fertility awareness, the question keeps coming up: is there actually anything you can do to increase your chances of having a girl?

The honest answer, based on current evidence, is that no natural method comes with a guarantee. The Shettles Method and certain dietary changes are the most talked-about strategies, but a 2022 review of non-invasive sex selection methods found limited scientific support for these approaches. Here’s a closer look at what the theories say and where the evidence stands.

The Shettles Method: Timing Intercourse Before Ovulation

The Shettles Method is the most well-known strategy for trying to conceive a girl. Developed by Dr. Landrum Shettles in the 1960s, it’s based on the characteristics of X-chromosome (female) and Y-chromosome (male) sperm.

The theory suggests that X-chromosome sperm are hardier and live longer in the reproductive tract, while Y-chromosome sperm are faster but more fragile. The recommendation, therefore, is to have intercourse two to four days before ovulation, when the body’s environment may be more favorable to the resilient X-sperm.

The idea is that earlier timing gives the resilient X-sperm a better chance of still being there when the egg arrives, while the faster Y-sperm may have already died off. This timing window is the cornerstone of the entire method.

Why This Theory Sticks (But Lacks Proof)

The Shettles Method remains popular for a reason: it sounds logical. But medical experts urge caution because the science doesn’t back up the claims with strong data.

• The resilience theory isn’t settled: While some lab studies show X-sperm may live longer, the difference is small and may not matter inside the body.
• Success rate claims are overblown: Some proponents claim a 70 to 90 percent success rate, but this comes from limited, non-peer-reviewed data and is not considered reliable by mainstream fertility experts.
• Sexual positions don’t matter: Suggestions to avoid deep penetration or to favor the missionary position have no biological basis that experts take seriously.
• Maternal orgasm is a myth: Despite being part of some folklore, there is no evidence that a woman’s orgasm influences the sex of the baby.
• Hormonal influences are ignored: The method doesn’t account for the complex hormonal environment of the fertile window, which can vary cycle to cycle.

Without randomized controlled trials, these methods fall into the “can’t hurt, might help” category. Many women find them interesting to try, but going in with realistic expectations is the healthiest approach.

Can Diet Really Help You Conceive a Girl?

Another popular approach involves changing what you eat. Some natural sex selection methods claim that a diet rich in calcium and magnesium can sway the odds toward a girl.

A 2010 study often gets cited in this context. Women who followed a strict diet high in calcium and magnesium, combined with timing intercourse, appeared to have a greater chance of conceiving a girl. The study is small and observational, meaning it can’t prove cause and effect.

However, a broader 2022 review of non-invasive sex selection looked at the overall evidence and concluded that dietary influences are still unproven. Per the 2022 sex selection study, the evidence for diet remains limited, though small observational studies continue to fuel interest.

Proponents of the diet method recommend eating these foods regularly for several weeks before attempting to conceive. A balanced diet is beneficial for fertility regardless, so increasing these foods generally isn’t harmful.

Tracking Ovulation for Timing

If you decide to try the timing approach, tracking your ovulation is essential. The goal is to have intercourse well before the egg is released to give the theory its best chance.

1. Track your cycle length: Know your average cycle length to estimate when you ovulate, typically about 14 days before your next period.
2. Use ovulation predictor kits: These tests detect the LH surge that happens 24-36 hours before ovulation. Start testing a few days before your expected surge.
3. Monitor cervical mucus: Fertile mucus is clear and stretchy like egg whites. This signals the start of your fertile window.
4. Chart basal body temperature: Your temperature rises slightly after ovulation. A few months of charting can help you identify your unique pattern.
5. Time intercourse for 2-4 days before ovulation: Following the Shettles Method, this is the recommended window to favor X-sperm.

Remember, timing is an art more than a science for this purpose. Ovulation windows can shift month to month, so combining multiple tracking methods gives you a clearer picture.

What Medical Experts Really Say

When you ask a doctor whether you can increase your chances of having a girl, the answer is usually a gentle “no.” The biological process of sex determination is largely random.

Sperm carry either an X or a Y chromosome, and which one reaches the egg first is widely considered a matter of chance. The 2022 study confirms that methods like diet and timing are used, but the evidence for their effectiveness is limited.

Some experts point out that while these methods are generally harmless, they can delay conception if couples focus too much on a narrow window. The best advice is to have regular intercourse throughout the fertile window. Healthline’s breakdown of shettles method timing provides good context on how these theories are popularly applied.

The Bottom Line

There is no scientifically proven way to guarantee you conceive a girl. The Shettles Method and dietary adjustments are popular, with many women finding them enjoyable to try, but the evidence doesn’t show they reliably work. Focusing on overall fertility health and having regular intercourse during your fertile window remains the most supported advice.

If you have specific questions about fertility or conception, talking with your obstetrician or gynecologist can help you make sense of these theories in the context of your own cycle and overall health.