5 Easy Lifestyle Changes to Increase Natural Fertility

Whether you are just starting to try and conceive, or you have been trying to become pregnant for some time, there are certain factors that are within your control. In fact, committing to some simple lifestyle changes can dramatically increase your fertility and improve your odds of becoming pregnant.

While certain medical conditions (such as endometriosis and PCOS) may require a doctor’s intervention to improve fertility – there are also many day-to-day lifestyle choices you can make that can naturally increase fertility.

Austin, TX natural fertility doctor Ruthie Harper, MD is renowned for addressing the medical causes of infertility, while also empowering women to participate in their own wellness journey to increase their chances of conception. In this article Dr. Harper shares 5 simple lifestyle changes you can start making today to improve your pregnancy chances.

1. Choose the Right Personal Lubricants for Fertility

For some women, using a personal lubricant during intercourse makes sex more comfortable. Many couples who are trying not to conceive are already aware that they should choose a lubricant that is safe for use with condoms. But most men and women don’t realize that certain lubricants can interfere with fertility.

The pH levels of some sexual lubricants can negatively affect the sperm’s speed and mobility (ability to move). So, when purchasing a personal lubricant always choose a product that is specifically labeled “fertility friendly.”

Look for lubricants that are Hydroxyethylcellulose-based because these have no harmful effects on sperm. Pre-Seed by INGfertility and ConceiEase by Reproductive Laboratory are 2 fertility safe lubricants.

You can also go the completely natural route and use mineral oil or canola oil for lubrication, which are “sperm friendly.” However, some individuals may find these products to be irritating.

2. Change Up Your Diet to Boost Fertility

The foods a person eats impact the health of both eggs and sperm for 90 days. So what you eat now can affect fertility three months later! Additionally, the body’s hormones that are necessary for conception build themselves from the ingredients in one’s diet.  And, what you don’t eat is just as important as what you do eat when it comes from fertility!

Following a “fertility diet” is one of the things that every woman can control when it comes to getting pregnant, regardless of her age, economic status, health or location. And most of the nutrients essential for fertility can be found in common, natural, affordable every day food sources – including fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and certain fish.

In fact, the most common cause of infertility which is lack of ovulation (anovulation) can often be remedied by simple changes in the diet. And the number one treatment for balancing PCOS to enable conception is also diet based.

You can read more about the fertility diet recommendations of Dr. Harper HERE. And more about foods that should be avoided can be found HERE.

3. Add a Supplement to Support Fertility

While most fertility-boosting nutrients can be obtained from the right diet, there are some essential vitamins that are hard or impossible to obtain in sufficient quantities through food alone.

COQ10 supplements improve egg and sperm health, while 800mg/day of folic acid is essential to prevent spinal cord defects in babies. Multivitamins that include iron, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B complex, zinc, and selenium will improve general overall health and fertility.

You can read more about Dr. Harper’s recommendations for vitamins and supplements that can support fertility and healthy pregnancy HERE.

4. Reduce Caffeine Intake to Increase Fertility

In women, high levels of caffeine consumption have been linked to decreased fertility. Additionally, drinking more than 3 cups of coffee a day during pregnancy may increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage.

For most women who are trying to conceive or carry a child, drinking no more than two standard sized 8 ounce cups of coffee a day (about 16 ounces total) is recommended. But remember, many chain coffee shops’ sizes are much larger. For example, Starbuck’s smallest size called “Tall” contains 12 ounces, a Grande is 16 ounces, and a Venti is a whopping 20 ounces.

Sodas, energy drinks and even “healthy” teas can also contain caffeine. Keeping a woman’s overall caffeine intake to 200 milligrams or less a day is suggested for optimal fertility. But, lucky men, caffeine consumption does not seem to have a significant effect on sperm count or motility.

5. Quit Drinking & Smoking to Improve Fertility

Most women know that they must quick drinking, smoking, or engaging in any recreational drugs during pregnancy for fetal health. But many women (and men) do not realize that giving up these guilty pleasures before pregnancy can also help aid in fertility.

Many clinical studies have shown that women who smoke are significantly more likely to have trouble conceiving than nonsmokers. Some research has also suggested that smoking can also result in lower sperm count and sperm mobility in men.

And a Harvard study found that women who consume just one alcoholic drink per day have almost a 50 percent greater risk of ovulatory infertility than women who do not drink alcohol while trying to conceive. Similarly, in women, higher amounts of THC (found in marijuana) have been shown to decrease estrogen production, which in turn can prevent ovulation.

Natural Fertility Doctor | Austin, TX

These are just some of the fastest, easiest, and immediate lifestyle changes a a woman and her partner can make to boost fertility and increase the chances of conception. Additional steps like weight reduction and stress management – though harder to implement – can also dramatically improve fertility.

Ruthie Harper MD, specializes in integrative, holistic and natural fertility. If you have tried to become pregnant without success, Dr. Harper opens her practice doors to you with compassion, and more than twenty years of natural fertility experience.

Dr. Harper can help empower you to take control of your personal path to total health, wellness, balance, and fertility – to give you the best opportunity to achieve your dream of growing your family.