How to increase fertility: a comprehensive guide
How to increase fertility: a comprehensive guide
Pregnancy, whether natural or through fertility treatment, occurs when sperm fertilises an egg. However, many things can affect your fertility, including your overall health, age and specific health conditions.
You may look for ways to increase your fertility if you want to conceive. This guide explores how men and women can potentially increase their fertility, the natural methods you can try and whether supplements support fertility.
The Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine is committed to providing the knowledge and support you need throughout your fertility journey.
How to get pregnant
If you’re trying to conceive naturally, you should try having sex every two to three days without contraception, ensuring sperm enters the vagina.
Sex around the time of ovulation is ideal – the chance of pregnancy is maximal on the 3 days prior to and day of ovulation - this is when the ovaries release an egg during a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle. The phase usually occurs between days 12 and 16 of the menstrual cycle.
Fertility treatments and getting pregnant
Modern medical advancements mean you can become pregnant in many ways.
Some of the fertility treatments you can use to become pregnant possibly include:
Enhancing your fertility wherever possible may help, whether you’re trying to get pregnant naturally or through one of these fertility treatments.
How to increase fertility in women
Conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), as well as factors like age and general health, can affect female fertility. However, there are certain methods you can use to help enhance your fertility.
Some of the ways women might increase their fertility include:
Staying a healthy weight – being overweight or underweight can negatively affect your menstrual cycle and overall health, making it more challenging to conceive. Being an unhealthy weight may affect ovulation and prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
Being free from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – chlamydia and gonorrhoea are two of the most common STIs to cause problems when trying to conceive. Having a full STI screening can ensure you not only receive the correct treatment but also that your reproductive health is at its best when trying to get pregnant.
Checking your hormones – different female hormones can influence fertility. These include follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones, progesterone, oestrogen, thyroid and anti-Müllerian hormones. All of these hormones contribute to your reproductive system’s function and health. If any are out of balance, you may experience problems conceiving. Checking your hormones through a blood test can help you understand your overall reproductive health and guide you on the proper path to pregnancy.
Stop smoking – experts have linked cigarettes to lower fertility levels because smoking may age your ovaries and use up your egg supply early. Therefore, it’s essential to quit smoking before trying to fall pregnant, not only to boost fertility but also for the health of your future baby.
These tips may help if you want to increase your fertility naturally. However, it’s crucial to remember that everyone’s fertility is unique. As such, seeing a fertility specialist may benefit you, as they can provide you with personalised advice.
How to increase fertility in men
Health, count and sperm motility affect how we increase fertility in men. Sperm health depends on multiple factors, with age, weight and medical conditions all having an effect.
However, you might be able to naturally increase male fertility in the following ways:
Maintaining a healthy weight – being over or underweight can negatively affect male fertility and general health, with having a high BMI potentially associated with a decreased sperm count and level of motility.
Screening for STIs – an untreated STI may lead to infertility or problems when trying to conceive. A full STI screening can check that your male reproductive system is free from infection.
Managing stress – high stress levels may lead to decreased sexual function and interfere with the hormones that produce sperm. Try to manage your stress by prioritising your emotional and physical wellbeing.
Being active – while getting enough exercise is essential for your general health, it may also naturally boost male fertility. One reason is that exercise may increase your antioxidant enzymes, which help protect sperm health.
Giving up smoking – smoking can cause lower sperm counts and damage the health of sperm. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health and fertility.
Speaking with one of our specialists can help if you’re struggling with fertility. We can offer tailored advice based on your needs and ensure you’re doing right by your reproductive health.
Fertility tests for men and women are one of the best ways to support your fertility when trying to conceive. You’ll know what your reproductive health looks like precisely and be able to find different potential routes to either grow or start your family.
What foods increase fertility?
Although food alone cannot guarantee improved fertility, some foods may support your overall reproductive health and potentially increase your chances of falling pregnant. No one food boosts fertility but eating a well-balanced diet rich in various nutrients benefits men and women.
Your diet should consist of whole grains, proteins and healthy fats, such as:
Whole-grain bread, pasta and rice
Vegetables
Oats
Legumes like peas, lentils and beans
Avocado
Oily fish
Nuts and seeds
Lean meats
Tofu
Eggs
Eating a poor diet may lead to weight gain and other health problems that can affect fertility. Therefore, try to avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, like:
Butter and lard
Cheese
Processed meats (sausages, bacon)
Chocolate
Cakes
Pastries
Cream
Palm oil
Coconut oil and cream
Alcohol and fertility
Avoiding alcohol is another option to consider when trying to increase fertility naturally.
In men, alcohol can:
Decrease testosterone production
Lower sperm production
Cause erectile dysfunction
In women, alcohol can:
Cause problems with ovulating
Disrupt reproductive hormones
Reduce the eggs in your ovarian reserve
If you’re trying to conceive, avoiding alcohol is a must.
What supplements increase fertility?
With a proper diet, you can get most of the nutrients you need to increase your fertility naturally. However, women should take one supplement when trying to conceive – folic acid.
Experts recommend you take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily from when you’re trying to conceive until you’re 12 weeks pregnant. Taking folic acid helps to minimise the risk of abnormal foetal development during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Fertility specialists sometimes recommend that women also take vitamin D supplements. But make sure to speak with them or your doctor before you do.
For male fertility, no specific supplements are recommended. However, speak with your doctor or fertility specialist if you are considering adding nutrients you may lack to support your overall health. They can complete blood tests to check your nutrient levels and advise which supplements may benefit you.
Support your fertility with the Bristol Centre of Reproductive Medicine
Increasing your fertility can be complicated but, at BCRM, we don’t want you to go through it alone. Our dedicated fertility team can provide you with the support you need and offer personalised advice based on your individual circumstances.
Whether you’re looking for hormonal profiles, sperm count tests or fertility treatments, we can help you take the correct steps to help you increase fertility and assist your pregnancy journey. Contact the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine to learn how we can support your fertility.