Boosting Fertility Naturally

Up to 15% of couples struggle with infertility, according to the Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology journal. Causes of infertility for women can range from ovulatory disorders to endometriosis, while infertility in men can range from low testosterone to sperm count. A person’s risk of infertility also increases as they age. There are multiple treatment options available for infertility, such as Melbourne IVF, but many couples may choose to start by boosting fertility naturally.

Ways to Boost Fertility Naturally

1. Eat Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that help neutralize free radicals in the body that can harm both eggs and sperm. Some of the most familiar antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and folate.

To increase fertility, add more foods and beverages rich in antioxidants to your diet like blueberries, raspberries, artichokes, spinach, and green tea. If you are concerned that you are not getting enough antioxidants from your diet, you can speak with your physician about taking an antioxidant supplement.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

With the average American diet full of trans fat, sugary treats, and processed foods, it’s no surprise that many people have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. Weighing too much or too little can result in irregular menstrual cycles, which lower your chance of becoming pregnant.

Eating healthy, combined with regular exercise, can help you reach a normal weight. It can also improve your overall health, and increase your odds of a healthy pregnancy.

3. Take a Daily Multivitamin

Multivitamins have been found to help reduce the likelihood of ovulatory infertility. According to a Fertility and Sterility study, approximately 20% of ovulatory infertility cases can be prevented if women consume three or more multivitamins per week.

Daily multivitamins can also help close any nutritional gaps you may have while trying to conceive and deliver the micronutrients to aid in fertility. When choosing a multivitamin, opt for one that contains folate which can prevent early pregnancy defects that can increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage.

4. Consume Fewer Refined Carbs

Refined carbohydrates refer to certain starches and sugars that do not exist in nature. They score highly on the glycemic index and have been stripped of all fiber, bran, and nutrients. Refined carbs are composed of mostly processed and can cause spikes in insulin levels and blood sugar. Examples of these include white pasta, rice, and bread.

The role of refined carbs in fertility is complex. However, experts do know that fertility problems are often aggravated when refined carbohydrates are combined with processed foods and simple sugars. Maintaining a low-carb diet has been found to help increase the chances of conception.

5. Find Ways to Reduce Stress

Stress is both mentally and physically hard on your body. When trying to conceive, too much stress can reduce your chances of getting pregnant. This is often due to the hormonal shifts that occur when the body experiences significant or chronic stress.

Look for ways to reduce your stress, such as support from friends or professional counseling. Also, remember to take time for yourself. This means keeping up with regular health appointments, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, staying active, and limiting alcohol intake.

6. Limit Your Caffeine Intake

If you drink multiple cups of coffee, soda, or other high-caffeine beverages every day, you might be consuming too much caffeine. Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that women who consume over 500 milligrams of caffeine each day take an average of 9.5 months longer to get pregnant.

While it is not always necessary to cut out caffeine completely from your diet, it’s best to limit your caffeine intake. If you enjoy caffeine drinks, consider low-to-no caffeine alternatives like matcha tea, golden milk, lemon water, or chai tea.

Treatment Options at Our Melbourne Fertility Clinic

Located in Melbourne, FL, Viera Fertility Clinic is home to our state-of-the-art IVF lab and world-class embryologist. We offer a variety of services to treat infertility and help couples start their families, such as fertility drug therapy, in vitro fertilization, and intrauterine insemination. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact our facility today at 321.751.4673.