Simply put, fertility is the ability to get pregnant. However, research shows up to 15% of couples experience fertility issues, with most of them requiring the services of a fertility clinic to conceive. Luckily, a change in diet and lifestyle can help boost your fertility by about 69%.
Here are 7 natural ways to increase your chances of getting pregnant;-
- Achieve a healthy weight
Healthy weight is in the BMI range of 18.5 to 25.5, with figures below or above that being considered unhealthy. Being underweight or overweight, interferes with your menstrual cycle, making it difficult for you to conceive. Thus, to improve your chances of getting pregnant, you should gain or lose weight to achieve the recommended BMI.
- Eat foods rich in antioxidants
Foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts are high in antioxidants, including folate, Vitamin C and E, and lutein. Body cells release toxic molecules in their day to day functioning. Antioxidants help neutralize these molecules, keeping your eggs healthy and in tip-top shape for conception.
- Exercise often
Being physically active has many health benefits, including boosting your fertility. A sedentary lifestyle is associated with a higher risk of infertility, while exercise has been shown to lower the risk of infertility by about 5%. However, moderation is crucial, as excessive exercise causes reduced fertility in some women.
- Cut back on caffeine
Several studies done show caffeine impacts negatively on a woman’s fertility. Some studies show it impairs the movement of the egg through the fallopian tube, on its journey to the uterus. Other show caffeine causes blood vessel constriction, decreasing blood supply to the uterus, thus interfering with implantation.
- Reduce stress
If you are planning on getting pregnant soon, you should take it easy. Physical or emotional stress causes one to ovulate 20% fewer eggs, tremendously decreasing your chances of getting pregnant. Besides, when stressed, one tends to engage in unhealthy habits such as smoking, taking alcohol, and neglecting exercise, all of which impact negatively on one’s fertility.
- Lower your alcohol intake
Studies on various effects of alcohol on female fertility, including reduced hormone concentration, delayed or absent menses, inhibited ovulation and diminished ovarian reserve. Also, alcohol hinders the transportation of sperms through the fallopian tube to meet the egg so that fertilization can take place. These effects negatively impact a woman’s fertility, lowering their chances of getting pregnant.
- Quit smoking
Smoking reduces the quality of one’s eggs, causes fallopian tube blockages preventing the sperm and the egg from meeting, and increases the risk of getting a miscarriage. In fact, up to 13% of women’s infertility can be blamed on cigarette smoking.
Final words
Fertility is a little more complicated than your high school biology teacher made it sound. While it may be easy for some women to become pregnant, it may prove quite a challenge for others. That said, it is evident what a woman eats and does greatly influence their fertility.