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Tips On How To Improve Fertility

A few lifestyle changes can improve fertility. If you are trying to conceive, follow our simple tips on improving fertility. This article is divided into two parts. The first part discusses how to increase male fertility. The second part provides general tips for both men and women on how to increase fertility naturally.

Male fertility --a man’s ability to get a woman pregnant-- depends on his semen quality. Semen quality has three components: sperm count, sperm quality and sperm motility (movement). For improving fertility, men should take care of all three components to improve semen quality.

To this end, men should increase their intake of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin E 
• Vitamin A (Beta Carotene) 
• Vitamin B9 (folate), and 
• Lycopene 

Vitamins C, E, A, and lycopene are all antioxidants that play very important roles in semen quality and male fertility. Men need antioxidants if they want healthy sperm. According to a Journal of Andrology article, antioxidants prevent oxidative stress that damages sperm. Antioxidant deficiency, moreover, is associated with poor sperm count, quality and motility.

A high folate or Vitamin B9 intake also improves fertility. A Fertility and Sterility article emphasized the association between folate intake and sperm health. The higher a man’s folate intake is, the less likely he is to suffer from sperm disorders like sex nullisomy and aneuploidy.

To improve fertility, men should eat more fruits and green, leafy vegetables that are rich in the fertility-boosting nutrients mentioned above. Blackcurrant and kiwi are great sources of Vitamin C. Vegetable oils are a great source of Vitamin E. Liver and carrots are a great source of Vitamin A. Cereals and lentils are a great source of folate. Tomatoes and other red fruits are great sources of lycopene.

Tip: Broccoli and spinach should be part of any man's diet who wants to improve his fertility. Broccoli and spinach have Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and folate.

Men can also improve their fertility by taking a multivitamin supplement. Look for a multivitamin that contains sufficient amounts of antioxidants and folic acid (synthetic folate).

General Tips to Improve Male and Female Fertility

The following are general tips on improving fertility. The following lifestyle suggestions apply to both men and women:

Quit Smoking

Smoking is associated with fertility issues in both men and women. In men, it reduces sperm count and adversely affects sperm health. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of antioxidants in combating oxidation-induced sperm damage. In women, exposure to cigarette smoke increases the likelihood of infertility.

A Bristol University study showed that women who smoke generally take longer to conceive than those who don’t smoke. Women exposed to secondhand smoke also take longer to conceive than those who have had no such exposure.

Men and women who are trying to conceive should stop smoking to improve fertility. Men should stop smoking to improve sperm count and sperm health. They should also stop smoking to reduce their partner’s exposure to secondhand smoke. To get pregnant faster, women should not smoke and must avoid secondhand smoke.

Maintain Normal Weight

Being overweight or underweight can lead to conceiving difficulties. Our reproductive hormones are affected by our body’s fat stores. When our body fat stores are lower or greater than normal, these reproductive hormones’ metabolism is altered. In women, this leads to irregular periods and the inability to ovulate (anovulation). In men, this leads to low sperm concentration and sperm count.

To improve fertility, men and women should maintain their body weight or body fat stores within the normal range. When both partners are within the normal weight range for their gender and age, they have a higher chance of getting pregnant faster.

Get Enough But Not Too Much Exercise

Exercise is good for you. It keeps you fit and healthy. It also keeps your weight within the normal range so it indirectly improves fertility. Nevertheless, too much exercise has a suppressive effect on fertility.

To improve the chances of getting pregnant, men and women should keep their physical activities within moderate and healthy limits. Men and women who are trying to conceive should never over-exercise.

The above suggestions will improve fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant. They are not guaranteed, however. If you have followed all of the above suggestions but are still unable to get pregnant, consult a reproductive specialist. Infertility specialists can prescribe medications and procedures that will improve fertility and increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Visit the index page for listing of all articles on Fertility.

Other wiki resources:  improve fertility; ovulation period; infertility causes; preparing for pregnancy; getting pregnant