Important First Steps in Your Fertility Journey
Not all cases of infertility require a medical intervention.
While there's no guarantee that home remedies alone will treat infertility, some lifestyle changes and natural remedies may support overall reproductive health. You can take steps to improve and monitor your fertility health while trying to conceive.
The “do’s” of fertility health:
Maintain a healthy weight: Being underweight or overweight can affect fertility. Strive for a balanced weight through regular exercise and a nutritious diet.
Regular moderate exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, improve circulation, and reduce stress levels.
Eat a well-rounded diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include foods with fertility-boosting properties like spinach, avocado, berries, nuts, and seeds. Remember to stay hydrated and drink adequate water daily to support overall health and keep your body hydrated.
Herbal remedies: Some herbs, such as chasteberry, evening primrose oil, and maca root, have been used traditionally to support fertility. However, consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal supplements, as they may interact with medications or have side effects.
Maintain a healthy sexual lifestyle: Understanding your menstrual cycle and having regular, timed intercourse can optimize your chances of conceiving. Use ovulation predictor kits or tracking apps to help identify fertile days.
The “don’ts” of reproductive health:
Stress: High levels of stress can interfere with hormonal balance and fertility. Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
Caffeine and alcohol: High caffeine and alcohol intake may impact fertility. Reduce or eliminate these substances from your diet or consume them in moderation.
Smoking: Smoking has been linked to fertility problems in both men and women. If you smoke, consider quitting to enhance your chances of conception.
Exposure to toxins: Minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins, such as pesticides, solvents, and certain cleaning products, which may affect fertility.
Hot tubs and saunas: High temperatures from hot tubs and saunas can impact female and male fertility. For men, raising scrotal temperature may affect sperm production and quality. For women, elevated body temperatures can affect the quality of eggs, interfere with ovulation, and potentially hinder the chances of conception.
Testing and monitoring
When you begin actively trying to conceive, you may want to consider more active monitoring to understand your fertility health and ovulation.
Ovulation tests: These at-home tests measure the luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in your urine to predict ovulation.
bird & be - $14.40 for 9 strips
Easy@Home by Premom - $24 for 50 strips
Pregnancy tests: You can test two key fertility hormones (estrogen and LH) with an at-home pregnancy test.
Cycle monitoring: Apps that track your cycle to predict ovulation.
