Trying to conceive (TTC) a baby over a long period of time can undoubtedly make sex a little less exciting. But according to a new survey by eco pregnancy test company Hoopsy commissioned ahead of Valentine’s Day, women across the UK have been going to all sorts of lengths to spice things up.

The poll, which quizzed 522 participants (identifying as female cis-gendered heterosexual women) who’ve been trying for a baby for at least a year, found three-quarters (75%) have had sexual intercourse in weird places whilst TTC; including on a boat, in a shed, on the stairs and even behind a waterfall.

Women in Sheffield are the most likely to have had sex in a car to TTC with over a third (35%) saying they’ve done this, with Plymouth the least (12%).

Two in five women in Scotland (20%) have had sex in a public toilet to try to conceive – and a frisky one third (33%) of women in Northern Ireland have had sex on the beach.

A decadent one in 10 Londoners (11%) have made love on a boat – and weirdly, 14% of women in the North East have claimed to have had sex in a shed in an attempt to have a baby.

A rather risky one in 10 (11%) Generation Z women aged 18 to 24 have talked about getting jiggy in a hotel lift while TTC.

On the more serious side, the vast majority of women surveyed (88%) admit their fertility journey has impacted their sex life in some way – with a third of these women (33%) saying sex is less exciting now as it’s always timed to when they’re ovulating.

Over a quarter of women (26%) said romance is “dead” in their relationship due to trying to conceive a baby. But on the flip side, two in five women (20%) said their sex life is actually “better than ever” since trying to conceive.

The poll also demonstrates the mental health toll trying for a baby can take, with over a third (35%) saying “I’m worried I’ll never become a mum”.

Hoopsy, which makes eco pregnancy tests using 99% paper, is the brainchild of Lara Solomon, who at the age of 45 and single, embarked on a mission to try and get pregnant via IVF – so knows full well the impact TTC can have. After two embryo transfers in Spain, she headed home where she had to self isolate in a hotel for 14 days due to Covid rules. It was here she said she used countless pregnancy tests day after day, to see if she was pregnant.

Lara said: “Unfortunately, I got a faint positive test but then miscarried the embryo, which was a traumatic experience – I think I cried for days on end. But something else came to light when I was on my own in the hotel testing – just how many pregnancy tests I was using.”

Commenting on the Hoopsy poll results, she added: “Trying for a baby over a long period of time can take a real toll on your mental health, so it’s not surprising to see that so many women in our survey are trying to conceive in weird and wonderful places to try and make things a bit more interesting. Timing sex to when you’re ovulating can be a real mental drain, but here at Hoopsy, we hope to make it that little bit easier with our free and easy to use online calculator.”

Hoopsy’s resident “sexpert”, Anna Charged who also runs The Happy Mash, said: “Any fertility journey, whether it be long or short, can really affect the way both males and females see their bodies. All of a sudden, our parts have a different function other than fun and pleasure, and this often adds to the performance pressure that some people feel overwhelmingly. It’s so important for partners to have open dialogue about how they’re feeling, to be supportive of each other and to not put too much pressure on themselves. Fertility journeys are not all about having intercourse, but curating and nurturing a relationship between two people who are about to embark on something really special but really difficult.”

Here are Anna’s top tips for spicing up your sex life if you’re TTC:

Masturbate – get to know your body and what gives you the most pleasure. Vulva owners who masturbate, have higher reported libido, can become lubricated more quickly during sex, and have better and stronger orgasms.

2. Focus more on foreplay – Yes when TTC the end result for heterosexual couples is sperm enter egg. But that’s the finale, what about the first act? Use toys, mutual masturbation, tease each other – it will make for a more intense and connected climax – for both of you!

3. Lubricant – There’s nothing like a good dose of thrush to kill the eroticism. Avoid uncomfortable friction by using lubricant everytime. Make sure it’s water-based and petrochemical, glycerine and paraben free. Penis-owners love it too!

4. Try something new – It really doesn’t matter what it is, but change things up. Lingerie? Sure! Weekend away? Role play? Risqué outdoors sex? (Well don’t break the law!) But the list is endless. It will make ‘sex every night’ feel fun again, not performative.

5. Buy a new sex toy – Whether it’s for you alone, or something to use with or on your partner, introducing a new and different toy is like buying a shiny new tool for your pleasure toolbox. And if it doesn’t work as well as you’d like? Well you’ve had fun and a few giggles in the process.

Hoopsy pregnancy tests are available in packs of three tests for £14.99 five tests for £22.99 or if you want to be really sure, 10 tests for £39.99. They’re available to buy on the website with free shipping at https://www.hoopsy.com. They are also available at Superdrug online – a three pack is £14.99.