Trying to conceive can be a very emotional process for both partners. It’s kind of like riding a roller coaster… one minute you’re feeling hopeful and confident, the next you’re sure it’s never going to happen. If you and your partner are struggling with fertility issues, you’re probably ready to try anything. Testing your sperm with a product like YO Home Sperm Test is a great place to start, but once you rule out sperm issues, what do you do next? Is it time to turn to invasive procedures and fertility drugs that cost a fortune and may, or may not, work?
Thankfully, there are many natural ways to boost your fertility, from lifestyle changes to alternative medicine. Before exploring more expensive treatments, you may want to give some affordable ideas a try as a first step. Although many of these suggestions are meant for the female partner, the male partner should also consider following some of these tips to improve your overall chances of conception.
Six Alternative Ways to Boost Your Fertility
1. Start by Changing Your Diet
Switching to a healthier diet is a great place to start when you’re having any kind of health issue, including difficulty conceiving. We all know that we should avoid sugar and processed foods, but there’s more to it than that. Eating the wrong foods can actually cause fertility problems. Many women think they can wait until they get pregnant to start eating smart, but the truth is, your diet should revolve around unprocessed, whole foods from the moment you begin trying to conceive. When you eat right, all of your body’s systems function better, including your reproductive system.
A healthy diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as lean protein. Be sure to add lots of leafy greens. Don’t forget the whole grains; you can always choose gluten-free if gluten is an issue. However, low-fat dairy is not the best option when you’re trying to get pregnant. Choose whole fat dairy and other healthy fats, like olive oil, coconut oil, seeds, nuts, and avocados instead. Both partners should be eating the healthiest diet possible during this time.
2. Take it Easy
If you’re living a typical Western lifestyle, it probably consists of lots of stress and very little sleep. Many people try to do too much each day, and that’s not a good thing. Stress is a leading cause of health issues for both men and women, and that includes fertility health. Each time you allow yourself to get anxious or worried about trying to conceive, your body can have a stress response that could hinder your ability to get pregnant.
Both partners should begin incorporating some stress-reducing activities into their daily routine. Yoga and meditation are great practices to try. Even going for a walk in nature can reduce stress. Remember to take some time each day to just relax. Quality sleep is essential, too, so make sure you’re both getting a full eight hours.
3. Keep Track of Your Cycles
Learning how to track the female menstrual cycle is a crucial step in getting pregnant. Mark your periods on your calendar and learn how to predict when you’ll be ovulating. You should also be keeping track of your basal body temperature and assessing your cervical mucus to help you determine when it’s the best time to attempt to conceive.
4. See an Acupuncturist
Many people recognize acupuncture as a treatment for pain, but don’t consider it for fertility issues. Acupuncture can offer a safe, natural, way to boost fertility for both men and women. It can increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, reduces stress levels, and balances hormones. These three things are incredibly important when you’re attempting to conceive.
Acupuncture can help regulate female reproductive cycles by increasing the blood flow to the pelvis, ovaries, and uterus. The increased blood flow can also make the uterus more welcoming for conception and implantation by creating a thicker uterine lining. Acupuncture may also reduce muscular contractions, including those in the uterus, which can improve the odds of carrying a baby to term.
Another possible cause of fertility problems is a hormonal imbalance. Balancing the hormones may improve the regularity of reproductive cycles and treat conditions like endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Miscarriage and pre-term labor are often thought to be caused by hormonal imbalance as well. Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to help balance hormones.
Acupuncture can also help to lower stress levels in both men and women, and as we discussed above, decreasing stress and anxiety levels is crucial when you’re trying to conceive. In fact, many of the hormonal imbalances we’ve been talking about are actually caused by stress.
According to leading fertility experts at the Yinova Center, both partners should seek the advice of a qualified acupuncturist when fertility issues are present. A plan will be created for each of you that often includes bodywork (massage), Chinese herbal medicine, and diet and lifestyle changes, along with a series of acupuncture treatments.
5. Have Your Thyroid Checked
The thyroid can play a crucial role in fertility and overall health. When the thyroid is overactive or underactive, it can lead to hormonal imbalances that are responsible for many fertility problems. Have a thyroid panel done to see if this is an issue for you. If you do suspect this issue, begin taking care of your thyroid right away by eliminating soy and including more healthy carbohydrates like whole grains and root vegetables.
6. Check Your Progesterone Level
As we’ve already discussed, getting pregnant and staying pregnant can both be highly influenced by hormone levels, and progesterone is one of the most important hormones to consider. Having your doctor run a hormone panel to check your progesterone level. In the meantime, be on the lookout for common symptoms of low progesterone, like chronic fatigue, mood swings, foggy brain, water retention, and cold feet and hands.
You can take some steps to boost your progesterone level naturally on your own, and of course, it all comes back to diet. Eat a diet high in whole foods, especially fiber. Cut out caffeine, alcohol, and sugar. Make it a point to consume healthy carbs like sweet potatoes, whole grains, and fruit.
As you can see, there are several natural alternatives that are easy to embrace as a first step. Once you’ve ruled out a sperm issue with a semen analysis screening like YO Home Sperm Test,, give these natural methods a try. You may be surprised to discover how much better you feel by making a few simple changes!
