Conceiving is not always as easy as some expect it to be, but there are a few things you can do to start enhancing your fertility. Sometimes, simple lifestyle changes can boost your fertility enough to conceive. Below are some helpful tips.
Maintain a healthy weight
If you’re looking to conceive, it’s important to maintain a healthy body weight. Whether it be underweight or overweight, unhealthy body weight can delay the time it takes for conception to occur. Women who are underweight can take four times as long to get pregnant than women who are a normal weight. Excess weight can cause an insulin resistance, which may disrupt menstruation, and excess fat cells can cause overproduction of estrogen, inhibiting regular egg release every month.
Additionally, men who are overweight or obese are also more likely to have a low total sperm count and concentration.
Sperm protection
It may sound silly, but sitting in a hot tub or bath on a daily basis can negatively affect sperm count and concentration, even if you have no prior fertility issues. Try to avoid repeated exposure to high water temperatures through hot tubs and baths to keep the sperm healthy.
Stop smoking now
Smoking is toxic to the reproductive systems of both men and women. It is strongly associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, and women who smoke are more prone to ectopic pregnancies. Smoking affects how receptive the uterus is to the egg and is also known to lower sperm count. If you are a smoker, quit now.
Handle anxiety and stress
High stress and anxiety have been shown to increase levels of cortisol (stress hormone) and can temporarily affect how well your reproductive system works. Stress can also affect your relationship with your partner, which can make intimacy more challenging. Try to manage your stress in a healthy way with meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or counseling.
For more information on how you can boost your fertility, call the reproductive specialists at Center for Reproductive Medicine today at (612) 863-6137.
