Around 1 in 7 couples struggle with infertility. The reasons vary and can be male, female, or completely unknown which is what we call unexplained infertility. Our bodies are unique and there are several intricate details that must align for conception to happen. It’s more complex than just trying, although that can greatly increase your chances. Whether you plan on having children now or in the distant future, it can be insightful to learn about your fertility and how you can preserve it going forwards. We’ve collaborated with a private fertility clinic to create this post and share some top tips for boosting fertility.
Women’s Fertility
Egg Freezing
As women’s eggs diminish with age, as do the chances of getting pregnant. There’s also increased likelihood of complications later down the line and a greater chance of miscarriage. To put things into perspective, women are born with around 1 million and this typically decreases to 300,000 – 400,000 by the age of puberty. The biggest decline happens after the age of 35 which is where conception can become a little more difficult. For women looking to preserve their levels of fertility, egg freezing is an option that allows for healthy eggs of a higher quality to be stored and used for IVF conception later down the line. Success however is not guaranteed and whether you will be a good candidate is based on a number of factors such as age.
Reducing Damage
For women the chances of getting pregnant largely come down to eggs. Lifestyle factors such as refined sugar consumption can damage these and affect their quality which thus can reduce fertility. To preserve this as much as possible it is recommended to consume a healthy diet and reduce sugar consumption.
Ovulation
Some women may also experience issues with their menstrual cycle and suffer from anovulation which is when their eggs can’t be released. Lifestyle changes such as consuming less caffeine, alcohol, getting the right nutrients and gaining or losing necessary weight can help.
Men’s Fertility
Stop Smoking and Drinking
While the reproductive systems are very different, much of the same advice applies. For men it’s the issue of sperm quality as they can continue to produce sperm throughout their lives. Quality degrades with age as well as the presence of factors such as alcohol and smoking. Alcohol in particular can limit the functioning of the testes which can stop sperm from developing properly. This can affect their ability to swim and fuse with eggs.
Refined Sugar
Sugar also has an effect on the quality of sperm (volume, count, motility and morphology). Excessive refined sugar consumption can therefore make it harder for those trying to conceive. To step away from sugar, you can try opting for alternatives such as sweeteners and foods containing natural sugars.
Medication and Treatments
Prescribed drugs also have the potential to cause damage, such as antibiotics taken longer term. This impact however will only last for a few months. Treatment such as chemotherapy on the other hand can cause longer term damage and permanently reduce fertility in which case you will be advised by your doctor to consider sperm freezing. It works the same as egg freezing and can give you the chance to start a family at a later date.
Try to Stress Less
Sperm can affect libido, as well as sperm production. While trying itself can be stressful, try to limit it where possible like by talking to your partner or seeking help.
Getting Enough Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a whole host of problems. With regards to fertility, it can lower testosterone levels. To boost your chances, you can try taking a vitamin D supplement.
An Immaculate Conception
To boost your chances of conceiving, we recommend tracking your cycle and for you to identify an ovulation date. While the sperm will still need to make its way to the egg and fuse, it can greatly improve your chances as you’re making sure that both are present at the same time.
To learn about your fertility specifically, what your chances are and how you can improve them, we recommend visiting a fertility clinic. They will be able to carry out tests and determine whether futher intervention is needed e.g., IVF.
