Infertility is categorized by the failure to conceive after one year of trying for women ages 35 and under. After age 35, infertility can occur after six months of trying to conceive.
There are many reasons that a woman or her partner might experience infertility. Many of these are health-related but environmental and lifestyle factors can play a part as well. When a couple decides to undergo IVF treatment, understanding the chances of conception and taking additional steps to improve their chances of fertility are most important. Follow these steps to help your chances of fertility.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Some IFV tips are pretty straightforward, like taking on a healthier lifestyle. Most smokers understand the health risks of their habit, but might not understand how it affects fertility. Smoking can alter the quality of both the egg and sperm. If a couple is attempting to become pregnant, it is helpful for both of them to quit smoking.
Vitamins are also a great place to start. You might choose supplements to increase your vitamins, or introduce vitamin-rich foods into your diet. Multivitamins and additional vitamin D can be helpful. Talk to a dietitian or nutritionist to find out what can best help your body.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
For many women having trouble with fertility, it may be appropriate to work toward a healthier weight. Maintaining a healthy weight for your body type is very important in IFV. This is true both for women who are underweight and overweight, often due to ovulation or estrogen issues. Women who have a BMI under 19 or over 35 experience conception times that are 2 to 4 times longer. While every woman is different, studies show that losing weight can help obese women get pregnant. Women who are underweight and want to gain weight for IFV should do so gradually, and with the aid of a nutritionist or doctor.
Reduce Your Stress
Too much stress can have adverse effects on various areas of your health. For women looking to become pregnant or undergoing IFV treatment, reducing stress is much easier said than done. Acupuncture, meditation, and other stress-relieving activities have shown positive results in pregnancy outcomes.
Infertility is an issue that affects an estimated 10 percent of U.S. families. It’s not always a woman’s issue and can be the result of many (sometimes multiple) issues. Infertility is an emotional and stressful issue. That is why the providers at Women’s Excellence OBGYN work to provide compassionate care and treatment options. If you have a question or would like to learn more, contact us today.