7 Chemical-Free Tips to Improve Fertility

Starting a family may be one of the biggest and best times of a couple's life. However, some couples may have difficulty conceiving. Research shows that one in every nine Australian couples has problems with conceiving a child.

Unfortunately, the raft of modern medications and invasive fertility treatments can be costly and off-putting. But for those who prefer a non-clinical approach, several natural ways to improve fertility. These fertility tips don't only boost your chances of conceiving. They will also help improve your general physical, mental, and emotional health. 

The first step would be to deal with your feelings. If you are finding it difficult to get pregnant, it's normal to feel sad, angry, and frustrated. But these emotions make it harder to conceive successfully, turning the situation into a Catch-22.

On the other hand, some couples encounter obstacles because of physiological problems. Others simply find it difficult even if both partners have perfectly working reproductive systems. 

There are many lifestyle choices you can make to improve your chances of falling pregnant. None of the tips below involve medical procedures or drugs.

Eat a healthy diet

Fruits and vegetables are filled with antioxidants. These protect chromosomes from free radicals that can damage sperm DNA. Research published by the US Library of Medicine in 2018 says that a diet "high in unsaturated fats, whole grains, vegetables, and fish" helps improve fertility in both men and women.

Ensure you eat your five portions of fruits and vegetables a day. And when possible, choose colourful produce like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and broccoli. Studies say that brightly coloured produce are high in antioxidants, which help in fertility. 

Ensure you take enough vitamins

To boost your health and fertility, take daily vitamin supplements. Vitamin C prevents sperm defects and helps increase sperm mobility. The same vitamin also reduces stress on your body, which can be a major factor in affecting fertility. Vitamin D and calcium have also been shown to increase male fertility.

Vitamins B6 and B12, present in folic acid or in its natural form (folate), are DNA-building vitamins that can help boost fertility in both men and women. Folate can be found in leafy vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and turnip greens. It's also present in asparagus, beans and peas, fortified cereal and bread products, sunflower seeds and liver. If you eat enough of these foods regularly, you can prepare your body for conception. 

Oysters are high in zinc, which is an important mineral for sperm production and strength. Zinc is vital for your enzyme systems. These affect sexual performance as sperm production relies on zinc. Low levels of this mineral can cause infertility. Other than oysters, lean beef, wheat germ and dark-meat turkey also contain high levels of zinc. 

Separate from general vitamin supplements for overall health, fertility supplements contain specific components that improve fertility. L-arginine stimulates sperm mobility. Camitine is an amino acid that is essential for building healthy sperm function. CoQ10 helps increase sperm volume. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in evening primrose oil, which improves hormonal balance.

Overall, vitamin supplements give you several benefits. They can increase your chances of having a healthy reproductive system. At the same time, these supplements will improve your general health and well-being.

Steer clear of toxins

Many women stop drinking alcohol while pregnant. However, numerous women, too, do not realise that alcohol can affect fertility before conception. It can damange a woman's eggs. Aside from this, alcohol also decreases sperm count and increases the risk of abnormal sperm. Furthermore, alcohol inhibits the absorption of zinc, one of the most important minerals for ensuring male fertility.

A study published by the US National Library of Medicine in 2017 states that caffeine intake could damage sperm DNA. For women, caffeine increases the risk of miscarriage as it makes it harder for the body to absorb iron, an essential mineral for many pregnant women. To improve your fertility and chances of carrying to full term, avoid coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate.

Tobacco is also a no-no. Smokers take a longer time to conceive and have an increased risk of miscarriage. The toxins found in cigarettes lower female oestrogen and progesterone levels. That negatively affects healthy egg production. Men who smoke have decreased sperm counts and reduced testosterone, which affects libido. You must also avoid second-hand smoke.

Another toxin you need to avoid is xenoestrogens. This is a fancy name for toxins found in environmental chemicals and pesticides. Examples of these would be pesticides on your fruit and vegetables, lead and mercury in farmed fish and growth hormones in your chicken meat. All these can hamper fertility. So choose wild fish over farmed, organic produce over chemically treated vegetables, and free-range over battery meat during your weekly grocery shopping. Although the cost of toxin-free shopping may be higher, the pay-off in both your fertility and overall health is invaluable. 

Take herbal supplements

Herbs are an all-natural fertility option. The chaste tree berry helps balance your hormones and stimulates the pituitary gland. This, in turn, increases your body's production of progesterone. False unicorn root normalises the ovaries and improves reproductive health. However, take care not to have too much of it. Over-dosage of false unicorn root can lead to blurred vision and kidney irritation. So take this carefully and never self-medicate.

Another herb to consider is dong quai, a traditional Chinese herb. It has long been used in China to treat female infertility. Dong quai balances out estrogen and regulates the menstrual cycle. This herb also helps in the process of egg implantation.

Saw palmetto, astragalus, and maca have been said to increase sperm count. Practitioners of Chinese herbs usually combine the herbs in boiling water. The patient then drinks the liquid over a prescribed period of time. Before you take any herbs, however, talk to an herb specialist or a nutritionist. Some herbs can be quite powerful. 

Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight

Regular, moderate exercise improves fertility naturally. Coupled with a healthy diet, exercising will improve your general health levels and regulate your hormones. Try low-impact aerobic workouts such as walking, cycling, and swimming. Be careful not to overdo it, though. Over-exercising can cause amenorrhea or absent periods.

Studies published in 2018 by scientists in the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy indicate that obesity disrupts female fertility. The study found overweight women experience hormone disorders and menstrual disfunction. This makes it difficult for them to conceive. Besides, being overweight can impair your general health, too.

Stress less; sleep more

The pressures of modern life can lead to infertility. Stress hormones like cortisol affect the pituitary glands and reproductive organs. Also, overproduction of prolactin during periods of stress can interfere with ovulation. So try indulging in relaxing rituals such as massages and meditation.

Yoga is a good idea, too. In fact, there's a type of yoga specifically for couples trying to conceive. Fertility yoga is a fusion of traditional yoga poses with postures designed to improve reproductive health. It's one of the best ways to naturally improve both male and female infertility because it minimises stress. Aside from this, yoga presents many more benefits. Doing yoga builds up your muscle tone and strength. It also improves body alignment and blood circulation. The breathing techniques taught in yoga are helpful for relieving stress and decreasing fatigue. And the less stressed out and tired you are, the more likely you will successfully conceive. 

Another way to relieve stress and anxiety is aromatherapy. This can also help regulate the menstrual cycle. You can use essential oils for a massage, diffuse them in an oil burner (try this one) or dilute it in the bath to relax your muscles and relieve tension. Try four particular oils: geranium is a calming oil that is said to have estrogenic properties and can balance your hormones. Basil is a strong oil that strengthens reproductive health. Lavender and jasmine can improve the libido.

Now, sleep is among the most important stress relievers. Sleeping eight to 10 hours every nigh can actually help increase your fertility. Rest is necessary for healthy sperm and eggs. Without sufficient sleep, your leptine levels tend to decrease, which causes irregular ovulation. Chronic sleep deprivation will affect your whole body system, including your menstrual cycle. Remember to sleep at regular times, too.

Try alternative natural treatments

Homeopathy is a natural fertility treatment that can also improve overall health for both partners. You can use specific homeopathy remedies to treat different fertility problems. A number of different types of remedies has been proven helpful in treating female infertility, such as sepia 6c, sabina 6c, aurum, phosphorus, and silica. These treat irregular ovulation, recurrent miscarriage, low sex drive, depression, anxiety, and boost the immune system. Alternatively, male infertility can be treated with sepia 6c, which improves a low sex drive, and medorrhinum, which treats impotence. 

Aside from this, acupuncture, the ancient Chinese technique of using needles to treat pain, is becoming increasingly popular to improve fertility naturally. Acupuncture helps promote fertility by reducing stress. It also normalises the flow of hormones needed by the ovaries, increases the blood flow to the uterus, and improves ovulation.

Finally, Ayurveda is an ancient Indian practice that espouses balance between the body's elements. Ayurvedic yoga practices, such as pelvic floor exercises, increase circulation to the reproductive organs. practitioners of Ayurveda encourage couples to eat lots of organic fruit and vegetables, asparagus, milk, dates, mango, cumin spice, and turmeric spice. These are believed to be good for the digestive and overall health. On the other hand, the spices fire up the reproductive system and libido. 

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