Foods That Preserve Your Fertility

For most women, fertility peaks during their 20s and early 30s. After that, it gradually starts to decline as ovaries produce fewer eggs and less reproductive hormones. During a woman’s most fertile years, certain foods may help preserve fertility by providing nutrients beneficial to enhancing a woman’s ability to conceive.

Fertility Foods and Menstruation

If you are trying to get pregnant and your period happens, it’s understandable why you would want to indulge in “comfort” foods like cheeseburgers, doughnuts, and milkshakes. Unfortunately, comfort food does nothing to support fertility. During your period, include leafy green vegetables, fish, beans, meat, and other iron-rich, protein-heavy fertility foods. These can also help ease cramps and prevent anemia if you are prone to bleeding heavily.

Fertility Foods and the Follicular Phase

The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle begins the day your period starts. During this phase, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones reach your ovaries via the bloodstream. These two hormones stimulate growth for the ovarian eggs that are contained in a “shell” or follicle. Hormonal balance is necessary for limiting the number of follicles eventually maturing. At the end of the follicular phase, only one follicle is left to dominate within one ovary.

Women with endometriosis or fibroids may have excess estrogen, which interferes with fertility. Cabbage, kale, and broccoli contain diindolylmethane. This phytonutrient promotes better metabolization of estrogen to reduce excess estrogen. Food supporting follicle development include eggs, nuts, seeds, fish, and green vegetables.

Ovulation and Fertility Foods

Your body needs extra B and C vitamins and zinc to promote progesterone production and normal cell division near, and during ovulation. Essential fatty acids like omega-3 are critical during ovulation as well. Preserve fertility during ovulation by eating whole grains, fish (or taking fish oil supplements), legumes, and eggs. Drink as much water as possible to facilitate the transportation of hormones to develop follicles.

Luteal Phase and Fertility Foods

The luteal phase starts after ovulation. It occurs around day 13, 14 or 15 of a normal menstrual cycle and continues until you start your period. Also called the ovulatory or premenstrual phase, the luteal phase may indicate fertility issues if it lasts less than 10 or 11 days.

The best fertility preservation foods to eat during your luteal phase are leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes containing plenty of beta-carotene. These foods help in regulating hormones and encouraging cell growth. Pineapple is another great food to eat to boost fertility during the luteal phase because it contains bromelain, an anti-inflammatory substance shown to support the implantation of an egg.

Fertility Testing in Melbourne

Our Viera fertility clinic offers a variety of effective assisted reproductive technologies (ART) for women experiencing infertility. Medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, hormone imbalances, and structural abnormalities affecting reproductive organs are common causes of infertility.

Fertility testing is the first step in determining if in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or other ART would best address a woman’s infertility needs. Viera Fertility Center provides blood testing to evaluate ovarian reserve, estradiol and FSH levels, blood progesterone levels and thyroid functioning. For women with a history of miscarriage, fertility testing in Melbourne may also include a radiologic procedure called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This allows doctors to detect abnormal shaping of the uterine cavity and to ensure the uterine cavity is not affected by scarring, fibroids or polyps. Pelvic ultrasounds are useful for inspecting the fallopian tubes, cervix, ovaries, and uterus in women with histories of infertility, miscarriages, and pelvic pain.

Viera Fertility Center is the leading fertility clinic in Melbourne helping men and women overcome infertility problems with assisted reproductive technologies. We can assist you with fertility testing and discuss the best fertility treatments for you and your spouse.