Starting a family can be a very exciting and meaningful endeavor for those looking to bring new life into the world. With this, you may be wondering if it’s possible to increase your natural fertility.
Conceiving a child can come with its challenges, but with an assortment of lifestyle changes and remedies, you may be able to help boost your fertility!
1. Find a Balanced Diet
Nutrition plays a key role in boosting your natural fertility thanks to the umbrella of health benefits.
Select nutrients can help with hormonal regulation, such as iron. This nutrient is necessary for ovulatory function and can be found in leafy greens and lean meats!
Prioritizing omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats is also vital for your reproductive health. These foods can help improve fertility by reducing inflammation in the reproductive organs and aiding in hormonal balance.
You want to make sure you’re not overconsuming foods that will disrupt your hormone production.
2. Cut Down the Carbs if You Have PCOS
Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, should try to avoid diets high in carbs. This is because foods rich in carbohydrates are subject to increased inflammation and insulin spikes. As a result, this will exacerbate the PCOS symptoms and disrupt ovulation. Managing your blood sugar can help improve the environment in which your eggs thrive and develop; this is optimal for increasing chances of successful fertilization.
3. Support a Healthy Weight
Including a moderate exercise plan to your routine life will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Having excess body weight can even escalate male infertility. What happens is the testerone levels lessen and the estrogen levels spike. Exercising can also reduce stress which is crucial for hormonal regulation.
Remember, healthy weight supports ovulation! You also have a better chance at responding well to fertility treatments such as vitro fertilization, or IVF, if that’s an option you come to consider. Regularly exercising also increases your libido which is great for baby-making.
So, it’s imperative to keep your body active and in good health!
4. Say Goodbye to Alcohol and Tobacco
If you are looking to boost your natural fertility, here are two habits you may want to consider retiring.
Excess consumption of alcohol may result in hormonal irregularities and throw the reproductive system into disorder. Think about minimizing (or eliminating) your alcohol intake to avoid inducing hormonal imbalance.
Tobacco on the other hand, can diminish the success rates of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), such as IVF. Likewise, excessive smoking can accelerate the decline, and or aging of ovaries.
During a period where you are attempting to increase your natural fertility, you may want to consider taking a hiatus on consuming these two.
5. Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness is a helpful tool for minimizing stress. You can focus on deep breaths - breathing in-and-out, feel it and open your mind to your inner thoughts, and be kind to the wandering mind.
Seeking community will also help minimize feelings of isolation. Talk to friends and family, or seek social groups who can provide you emotional support.
Give thought to refining your sleep hygiene. If your routine is disruptive, consider regulating your sleeping pattern. Adequate sleep is optimal for stress management.
The intention is to eliminate as much stress as possible. A relaxed mind promotes hormone regulation.
6. Take a Infertility Test
Another option is a fertility test! You can begin with consulting your primary care physician. Often they’ll perform an initial evaluation then provide a referral. An Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN), can offer a comprehensive fertility evaluation, including: hormone test, pelvic exams, and ultrasound imaging. Whereas, a fertility specialist offers a wide range of diagnostic exams and treatments for all genders. Fertility specialists have equipment and expertise in complex fertility issues.
You can consult with a fertility specialist to help provide you a clearer path through your fertility journey.
7. Try Infertility Acupuncture
Infertility acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Like traditional acupuncture, the treatment involves inserting fine needles into distinct points on the body to promote health and balance, with an emphasis on improving fertility. The treatment is aimed to support blood flow, hormonal balance, induce relaxation, and promote ovarian and sperm function.
Interestingly, infertility acupuncture is often used in conjunction with fertility treatments, like IVF!
Final Thoughts:
Fertility journeys are conceivably complex and at times lengthy, but it’s relieving to learn of the natural adjustments that can be applied to our everyday lives. Remember, the goal is to nurture your mind and your body. Aspire to sustain a harmonious lifestyle to avoid the harms of stress and hormonal irregularities. Try these seven tips this summer and best of luck to you!