10 SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE WAYS TO BOOST FERTILITY NATURALLY!

26 Nov 2015

Heath Tip Tuesday

November 3, 2015

Infertility tops the list of major health concerns in the past one or two decades. On average, approximately one in seven couples has difficulty conceiving and about a quarter of all pregnancies end up in miscarriages.

Infertility can be the result of many different problems, ranging from hormonal imbalance, high levels of stress, weight gain, improper dietary habits, exposure to toxins, use of certain drugs, smoking and so forth.

While, it is always a good idea to have all the appropriate testing and imaging done with a fertility specialist to try to determine what might be impacting your fertility, you also have natural options.

The natural methods of boosting fertility are scientifically backed methods that work!

In this article, we’ll go through the ten top surprisingly simple, but highly effective tips and strategies through which you can boost your fertility and chances of conceiving.

Let’s cut to the chase and discuss these things one by one.

LOSE WEIGHT BUT DON’T GET SKINNY

According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, twelve percent of all infertility cases are the result of inappropriate weight- women either weighing too much or too little.

Excess body fat causes overproduction of estrogen, which disrupts ovulation making the cycle less regular. Studies show that in cases of overweight women, losing only five to ten percent of the body weight can help boost conception chances several folds.

Similarly, the time taken to conceive increases four fold in women who have a BMI less than 19 (lean women). Being underweight significantly compromises the levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – the two most important regulators of female fertility.

YOUR BEVERAGE MAY BE DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD

According to a study conducted by the Spanish Public Department of Health, women consuming more than 500 mg caffeine were found to be almost twice more prone to face fertility issues as compared to women not consuming caffeine.

Although having an alcoholic drink daily is generally considered safe, it is not a good idea if you’re trying to conceive. The results of a study showed that 45% women drinking more than five alcoholic drinks a week failed to conceive during their weeks of drinking.

Alcohol and caffeine are an absolute NO for you if you want to boost your chances to conceive.

GIVE UP SMOKING ALTOGETHER

Smoking injures your reproductive health like nothing else. There is a 50 percent higher chance of impotency in male smokers compared to non-smokers. Similarly, smoking is the main culprit of infertility in as much as 13 percent of females. The risk of miscarriage is also higher in pregnant females who smoke.

MEN SHOULD AVOID LONG HOT BATHS AND WORKING WITH LAPTOPS IN THEIR LAPS

The production of sperms in testes takes place at a lower temperature-that’s why testes are a bit colder than the remaining body parts.

When you expose them to heat, the sperm production process slows down. Sitting in a hot tub should be avoided as hot baths have been shown in research to negatively affect men’s fertility. Similarly, males who sit with laptop in their laps have reduced fertility rates.

HAVE SEX DURING THE FERTILITY WINDOW

An average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days. Ovulation, or the release of the eggs, takes place between the day 10 and 17 of an average 28 day cycle.

Keep track of your menstrual cycle and mark the days when you’re expected to ovulate. That’s the fertility window for you. Take advantage of the fertile window and boost your chances of pregnancy. Have sex during this most fertile time of the month.

HAVE FREQUENT SEX- AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!

This one is not rocket science. The more you have sex, the better your chances to conceive. Studies show that couples who have sex once a week have only 15 percent chance of conceiving; whereas couples who have sex three to four times per week have 50 percent chance of conception. Frequent sex keeps sperms and eggs healthy and hormones in balance.

EAT A DIET RICH IN PROTEIN, IRON, VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Healthy eating habits helps boost fertility. Nutritional deficiencies of protein, vitamin C, iron, vitamin D and zinc lengthen the menstrual cycle, therefore decreasing the chances of conception and it also increases the risk of miscarriage.

Ensure your diet is high in protein rich foods such as eggs and meat. Also, focus on vegetables, fruits and nuts. Consider starting your prenatal vitamins now, after consulting with your Naturopathic Doctor.

STEER CLEAR OF CHEMICALS LIKE XENOESTROGENS AND PESTICIDES

These chemicals are believed to decrease male as well as female fertility. Xenoestrogens are synthetic sources of estrogen most common in plastic bottles, plastic bags, and a number of cosmetics. These chemicals disrupt normal menstrual cycles and decrease your chances of getting pregnant. Similarly, pesticides suppress fertility too. According to a study published in the March 2015 issue of Human Reproduction eating vegetables and fruits with pesticides causes low sperm count.

The ideal way to eliminate the consumption of these chemicals is to eat organic fruits and vegetables and wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating. Also, don’t drink water in heated plastic bottles and always read the labels of personal care products before buying.

DECREASE STRESS

Stress can have a huge impact on female fertility. It can also slow male sperm production and lower libido. According to an American study, women who were more prone to stress had 29 percent lesser chance to conceive than women with less stress as stress causes increase in cortisol level which in turn disrupts the menstrual cycle. Managing stress through relaxation techniques and strategies that can be discussed with your Naturopathic Doctor helps regulate the cycle.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH A NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

If you’re looking for an expert for your fertility issues then you must see a Naturopathic Doctor. In many cases, your infertility may be the result of dietary and lifestyle factors. Naturopathic care looks into these issues, further boosting your chances to conceive.

There you have it. Try out these simple, scientifically proven and cost effective ways to boost your fertility!

#Healthyliving #Alternativemedicine #Guelphnaturopath #NCMC #Fertility #NaturalFertility

Book your appointment online today with Dr. Harmonie Eleveld, Naturopathic Doctor at Natural Choice Medical Clinic in Guelph as a step towards a happy, healthy, pregnancy, birth and baby.