The road to parenthood is not easy for all couples. Almost 15% of couples get affected by infertility or an inability to conceive. Luckily, infertility is treatable now. Apart from modern medicine, there are also some natural ways to improve fertility in women.
Maintaining a healthy weight being overweight or underweight can cause infertility in both men and women. Excess weight interrupts the fertilization process and embryo growth. Fat stored in the body hampers menstruation. It leads to a lack of ovulation and impaired egg development.
Similarly, underweight women are at the risk of ovarian dysfunction, preterm birth, and other fertility issues. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy weight.
Quit Smoking
If you are trying to get pregnant then quit smoking now. If possible, also ask your partner to quit smoking. Research shows the infertility rate in smokers is twice that among non-smokers. The risk of fertility issues increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke—the more the number of cigarettes, the more the chances of infertility. Smoking damages the genetic material in eggs and sperm. This means that smokers also have higher chances of miscarriages, birth defects, and ectopic pregnancies. Smokers also have a high chance of getting babies who have Down syndrome.
Reduce Alcohol
Drinking can interfere with your chances of getting pregnant. Alcohol can damage the quality of sperm and eggs. Although, alcohol in moderate amounts can be consumed.
Reduce Toxins
We often do not realize that we are constantly exposed to numerous harmful toxins in the form of chemicals in our daily lives. Therefore, try to avoid toxins by eating pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. Limit usage of chemical products such as soaps, and make-up.
Reduce Stress
Stress causes infertility. Therefore, try to relax by taking some time off. Go for a slow walk or take a long bath. Start practicing yoga and meditation.
Folic Acid
If you are planning to conceive, start taking folic acid. This prevents birth defects and helps to maintain good cell growth. Folic acid is naturally found in green leafy vegetables. You can also take folic acid tablets as supplements.
Natural Supplements
Certain natural supplements can increase fertility. Some of the common natural supplements are:
- Pomegranate
- Stinging Nettle
- Cinnamon
- Rock Salt
- Raspberry leaves
- Fish containing Omega 3 Fatty acid
- Dates
- Fennel with butter
- Grape Seeds
- Royal Jelly
- Dandelion
- Maca root
Increase Iron Intake
Iron reduces the chances of ovulatory infertility. Therefore, start consuming iron-rich foods. Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron. Therefore, along with iron supplements also increase your vitamin C intake.
Reduce Caffeine
Research suggests that women who consume more than 500 mg of caffeine a day reduce their chances of getting pregnant by a year. The recommended dose for caffeine is 200 mg. Try to regulate your coffee to one cup a day. Caffeine is also found in chocolates, soda, and energy drinks. Therefore, restrict consumption of those things as well.
Higher Protein Intake
Studies have shown that replacing animal protein with plant protein reduces the risk of infertility. Ovulatory infertility is reduced by 50% when only 5% of animal protein is replaced by plant protein. Therefore, try to replace animal proteins such as meat with nuts and seeds. Eating more fish is beneficial for fertility.
