When getting pregnant is more challenging than planned, people often search for answers to understand better what they can do to increase their chances of conceiving.
What Is Fertility?
To begin, “Fertility is often defined as the ability to reproduce or produce offspring,” says Amy Roskin, M.D., board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical officer of Seven Starling, a digital mental health platform.
How Do I Boost My Fertility?
There are lifestyle changes you can try that might give your Fertility a boost; a doctor specializing in Fertility will be able to perform various medical testing and interventions that can increase your chance of conceiving. IVF, IUI, or through medications that induce ovulation are some ways to receive. Most of these costly procedures may not be covered by your health insurance.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight or obese can cause someone to produce too much estrogen, which can interfere with ovulation. Adopting a lifestyle of healthy fruits, vegetables, and lean protein can help decrease estrogen, positively impacting ovulation.
Moderate Exercise
Participation in moderate exercise has improved both female and male Fertility. Choose fun activities like walking at the park, bike riding, and swimming. Exercising with a spouse can boost your mood and release the stress of trying to conceive.
Avoid Tobacco and Too Much Alcohol Both tobacco and alcohol may harm Fertility, according to Dr. Sun. Overall, clinical studies have found that smoking is associated with decreased Fertility, and if you are hoping to become pregnant, Dr. Sun says it is wise to limit alcohol.
Consider Taking a Multivitamin
If you are deficient in specific vitamins, it may interfere with ovulation. A 2008 study found that involuntary infertility may be avoided 20% of the time if women take a multivitamin for at least three times per week.
While the ACOG recommends seeing a doctor if you have not gotten pregnant after one year of intercourse without using birth control, you should feel comfortable talking to your doctor about your fertility worries at any point—or even when you first start thinking about pregnancy.
Preconception visits allow us to work together to optimize our health and mitigate some factors contributing to infertility. While there is no tried-and-true way to boost, there are always medical interventions to consider for fertility, so no matter where you are in your fertility journey, remember that you have options.
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#MyJam: Check out the song “Love On Top” By Beyonce, for inspiration to have fun on your journey to parenthood.
Reference
Weingus, L. (2022, September 12). 6 Expert-Backed Ways to Boost Fertility. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/family/ways-to-boost-fertility/