3 Top Lifestyle Factors That Can Help Boost Fertility
For people seeking to get pregnant, science suggests there are ways in which one can help improve their chances of conception. From supplements to stress management techniques, there's no shortage of lifestyle factors purported to boost fertility, reports Healthline. However, the amount of information surrounding this topic can be overwhelming, to say the least. In an exclusive interview with Health Digest, Dr. Michael Eisenberg, MD and scientific advisor to twoplus Fertility, offers three top methods for enhancing one's fertility.
His first tip centers around diet. "Avoiding fast food is a good idea if you're trying to have a baby," Dr. Eisenberg states. "A study published by the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Association showed that trans-fat intake was associated with lower fertility." However, Dr. Eisenberg says that these dietary suggestions do not extend exclusively to just one partner. "Men should also follow a healthy diet since some nutrients are essential for the health of the sperm, such as omega-3, vitamin E, vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and folate."
Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption and engage in sex regularly
Dr. Eisenberg goes on to tell Health Digest that food isn't the only thing we should be mindful about putting in our bodies when attempting to conceive. "You should moderate booze and caffeine and avoid tobacco altogether — people who smoke are more likely to have fertility issues," Dr. Eisenberg explains. Offering more specific guidelines, he states, "Women trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking more than two drinks a day (10g of alcohol). High levels of caffeine consumption (more than 5 cups of coffee per day) have also been associated with decreased fertility."
Dr. Eisenberg's third and final tip is for partners to partake in sexual intercourse regularly. "A 2017 study revealed that couples who had sex every other day had a better chance at conceiving than those who had sex just once a week," he states. In addition to having sex regularly, he also encourages tracking one's ovulation cycle. "One way of predicting ovulation is through vaginal secretion analysis. When it's slippery and clear, the probability of conception is highest," he states. Dr. Eisenberg concludes, by offering one additional tracking method, "Ovulation predictor kits or cycle tracking can also help."