Health Articles

Posted by Nicole on May 19

Still not getting the results you’re looking for when you anxiously check your pregnancy test strips?

If you think that low levels of fertility might be among the reasons you are not getting pregnant, there are a few tips and techniques you can try.

1. First, avoid substances that reduce fertility.

Sometimes, low fertility can be indicative of certain life choices. Substances which have been found to reduce fertility include marijuana, nicotine, steroids and cocaine according to the Harvard Medical School.

Indeed, nicotine in particular seems to be linked to significant declines of fertility in women. So if you are a smoker, strongly consider quitting.

Consuming excessive alcohol can also reduce female fertility. Plus, you should not be drinking when you are pregnant. So it makes sense for both those reasons to stop drinking alcohol altogether if you are trying for a baby.

High amounts of caffeine may reduce female fertility. Keep your intake under 200 milligrams daily to maintain maximum levels of fertility.

2. Look into alternative medications.

If you happen to be taking thyroid replacement medication, talk to your doctor. It could be that this is disrupting regular ovulation, making it more difficult to get pregnant. Your medical provider may be able to think of an alternative, or may be able to recommend a medication to make ovulation more consistent for now.

3. Lose (or gain) weight.

If you are overweight, this can reduce ovulation, which in turn reduces fertility. The same is true if you are underweight. Eat a healthy diet and exercise so that you can reach and maintain a healthy weight.

At the same time, try not to overdo it at the gym. Working out a lot can reduce hormone production, which can disrupt your regular cycles and make it less likely that you will get pregnant.

4. Get to know your cycles.

Do you generally know when you ovulate? If the answer to that question is "no," it is smart to become more aware of your cycles, as this will help you to predict when you reach peak fertility levels.

You may be able to make a good guess at when you're ovulating on your own. Ovulation generally includes a thickening of cervical mucus. Some women may experience other symptoms as well.

If you are still having a challenging time figuring out when you're ovulating and predicting your next ovulation window, you can try purchasing an ovulation prediction kit. They should be available at your local pharmacy. Obviously, the more you have sex during your fertility window, the more likely it is that you will get pregnant.

5. Follow fertility-promoting practices during sex.

As the Harvard Medical School advises (at the same link shared previously), you should consider avoiding lubricant when having sex, and try the missionary position with your pelvis propped up on a pillow. After your partner ejaculates, you should lie in place for about half an hour. All of this make it more likely that one of the sperm will successfully implant an egg.

6. Do what you can to combat stress.

If you are stressed (including about getting pregnant), that is going to decrease your fertility, usually by reducing the regularity of your cycles. Deal with other issues in your life if you have been avoiding them. Practice relaxation techniques, ensure that you are getting enough sleep every night, and do activities that you enjoy. You can even consider therapy if you are in need of it.

7. Take a supplement to support fertility.

There are a number of supplements which can help improve fertility. Chaste tree berry extract is great for restoring balance to your hormonal profile, as is DIM. Myo-inositol can be helpful in a range of situations, but is particularly ideal if PCOS is responsible for low fertility levels. You also can take folate, which is important both for fertility and for a healthy pregnancy.

Other nutrients which can promote conception include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, zinc and selenium.

All of these ingredients are contained in our Fertility Health supplement.

8. Don’t be afraid to seek professional advice.

If you have tried everything you can on your own to get pregnant, it may be time to chat with a medical professional. For many couples, this can be a difficult step to take—but there is nothing wrong in admitting that you are having a hard time.

A doctor may be able to provide you with advice which is personalized to your situation, and help you consider possibilities you haven’t (including whether your partner’s fertility may be the issue).

How long should you wait? If you are over 35, it may be worth going for a consult regardless because of your age. If you are younger and you have been failing to get pregnant for a year or more, it is also worth talking to a specialist.

9. Avoid products which contain toxins.

There are certain types of toxins which can interfere with your ability to conceive. Some of these include solvents such as those which are used in dry cleaning and certain pesticides used in food and supplement production. Try and purchase products and services which do not expose you to these types of toxins.

You also should be wary of xenoestrogens. These are compounds which mimic the effects of estrogen and which can throw off your body’s natural production of hormones. They can be artificial in origin, or they can come from natural sources (such as the phytoestrogens which are present in some plants).

Avoiding xenoestrogens can help you keep your body in balance, which in turn may reduce disruptions to your healthy monthly cycles. The more reliably you can ovulate, the easier it will be to conceive.

Check Out Our Blog For More Tips on Promoting Fertility Health

You have now had a chance to check out some recommendations for how you can increase your fertility as a woman. If you are still looking to learn more about fertility health, be sure to keep up with our blog and check out our archives. Hopefully the stork will be on the way sooner than you think!