If you’re trying to get pregnant and are experiencing difficulty conceiving, you probably feel like you are alone in the world. However, up to 15 percent of couples have problems with fertility. There are many different reasons for these issues. Some causes include health problems, vitamin deficiency, and weight. Sometimes, the underlying cause for low fertility is never discovered.
Luckily, there are many different ways to address these problems. If you hope to get pregnant, it is important to be in your best health. Natural tips to boost your fertility often also prepare your body for pregnancy. The world of medicine has plenty of tricks to help you speed up the journey to bringing your own little miracle into the world as well.
Natural Ways to Boost Your Fertility
The world of getting pregnant is definitely not created equal. Some women get pregnant on accident while others struggle for years. There are some changes you can incorporate into your life that are proven to boost fertility.
Manage Stress
Trying to get pregnant can become stressful. You build up so much hope only to have it dashed month after month. Stress not only puts your relationship on edge, it causes your body to produce excess cortisol and other hormones that may make conception more difficult. Stress is also a fertility factor for men. Whether you choose methods like meditation or yoga, or spend some fun-time relaxing together, it is important to get your stress levels under control.
Eat the Right Foods
Eating the right foods for fertility doesn’t mean you should jump straight to eating only fruits and vegetables. (Although fruits and veggies are always a good choice!) There are certain foods that have been proven to increase your chances of getting pregnant. Some fertility food tips include:
- Get some of your protein from vegetables instead of meat. Changing this by only 5 percent can drop ovarian infertility risk by 50 percent.
- Try complex carbs. Eating complex carbohydrates like brown rice prevent insulin spikes that can affect ovulation.
- Swap low-fat dairy for the full fat version. Low-fat dairy inhibits ovulation, so switching one serving a day to high-fat dairy can boost fertility.
- Try cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous veggies like kale increase estrogen mobility.
Limit Caffeine
High caffeine intake decreases conception. Swap those caffeinated sodas for decaffeinated tea or juices.
Watch Your Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is a big factor in achieving pregnancy. Fat cells help regulate estrogen. If you are underweight, you may not produce enough estrogen; if you are overweight, you might produce too much.
Get Some Exercise
A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk of infertility. Moderate daily exercise can increase your ability to get pregnant. However, it is important not to overdo it. Too much high intensity exercise can negatively impact the reproductive system.
Stay Hydrated
When you don’t drink enough water, all of your fluids are low. Your cervical fluid, which helps guide sperm, slows down when you are dehydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water and non-carbonated beverages daily.
When Natural Methods Aren’t Working
Below are some medical ways to get you help with finding the fertility method that’ll work for you.
Medical Fertility Helpers
If you have tried natural fertility remedies or have been trying to conceive for more than a year, it might be time to talk to your doctor. Your age and medical history will help your doctor decide what methods are right for you. Different medical options will apply to various situations.
Ovulation Kits
These kits help you determine when you ovulate so you can figure out the best days of the month to attempt conception. The kits can be purchased over-the-counter, and due to certain restrictions, aren’t 100 percent accurate. However, they can be useful if you are not familiar with your cycle.
Fertility Drugs
Medications to improve fertility work to regulate your reproductive hormones. The most commonly used fertility prescriptions are Clomiphene and Gonadotropins. Clomiphene pills are taken by mouth for five days to increase hormones to signal the ovaries to release mature eggs. Gonadotropin is a series of injections you take at home. Injections are given daily for 7 to 12 days to prompt the release of multiple eggs. Side effects may occur with medications, and the chances of multiple births are more likely.
Surgery
Certain medical conditions are sometimes to blame for low fertility. The most common reasons surgery is prescribed for low fertility include endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes, fibroids, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The two most common surgeries are Laparoscopy, (which uses narrow instruments and a lighted camera inserted through several small abdominal incisions) and Laparotomy (which is completed with one larger incision). Success is dependant on the condition being treated.
Intrauterine Insemination
This procedure deposits sperm directly into your uterus. A catheter passes through the cervix to deliver a concentrated amount of sperm. Fertility drugs may be used with the treatment.
In vitro Fertilization
This procedure works by fertilization of the egg in a laboratory. Your eggs are removed from your uterus and combined with your partner’s sperm in a laboratory. If fertilization is achieved, the fertilized egg is then placed into the uterus. Gonadotropins are often used for the procedure.
Whether you use natural or medical methods (or a combination of the two!) to boost your fertility, these methods have been proven to work. Always talk with your doctor before changing your diet and fitness routine. Learn about all of your options to determine which procedures you should consider. Difficulty conceiving a baby can be stressful and heartbreaking. Take care to manage stress, nourish your relationship, and maintain your physical health. Enjoy these healthy changes as part of a happy journey to your dreams of becoming a parent.
