At Optimum Pharmacy, we are dedicated to providing the most satisfactory service for Fertility Medications in the Greater Toronto Area.
We offer medication consultation and support whenever you need, as well as the ability to provide Fertility Medications ASAP and even same day delivery within the GTA!
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Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after 12 or more months of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Prevalence: 16%
Female Fertility generally reduces after the age of 35, so if you are a woman it is recommended that you have children before then.
Healthy Diet
According to NHS-II, Chavarro et al., a fertlity diet consists of high intake of monounsaturated fats, vegetable proteins, high-fat dairy, low-glycemic carbohydrates, multivitamin and iron from plants and supplements. Also a case study in Spain showed that women who followed a Mediterranean Diet had lower odds of experiencing infertility. While on the other hand, a higher frequency of fast food intake and a lower frequency of fruit and vegetable intake was related to taking a longer time to get pregnant. (5)
In general a healthy diet favoring whole grains, fish, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil may not only improve overall health but boost fertility.
Exercise
Exercise has many potential health benefits, including its ability to lower stress and improve fertility. Lowering stress and achieving a healthy BMI has been shown to increase success rates, especially in women with PCOS.
Research has shown that women who do regular, moderate exercise, get pregnant more quickly than those who don’t (8). However, too much intensive and vigorous exercise, however, has the potential to lower fertility.
The best type of fertility friendly exercises with low to moderate intensity are:
Reducing Stress
Easier said than done, but arguably one of the most important lifestyle factors when it comes to increasing fertility. It is natural and completely normal to become fixated on the fact that it may be taking longer to conceive than you had hoped, but finding support can make a world of difference.
1. Make time for yourself: Take regular time out for yourself and do something that you enjoy, whether it’s catching up with friends, exercising, or reading a book.
2. Practice mindfulness: Taking a few minutes each day to clear your mind can help you to stay in the present moment and reduce stress.
3. Talk to someone: Connect with a trusted friend or family member and share your feelings. It can be helpful to talk to someone who is not part of the fertility journey so they can offer an outside perspective.
4. Get plenty of rest: Make sure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night to help reduce stress levels and recharge your energy levels.
5. Exercise regularly: Exercise helps release endorphins that can improve mood and decrease stress levels.
6. Reduce caffeine intake: Caffeine is a known stimulant and can increase your stress levels and make it more difficult to sleep. Reducing your caffeine intake can help reduce stress levels.
Supplements
Identifying factors that could influence human fertility such as lifestyle and diet has become a relevant public health issue in today’s world.
Supplementation of micronutrients may have an impact on both male and female fertility.
The benefits and efficacy of supplements when it comes to fertility is still debated. There is some literature that suggests that supplementation before conception can resolve deficiencies and restore micronutrients to recommended levels, therefore having beneficial effects on fertility.
According to a recent review by researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, here are the vitamins and nutrients that might have positive effects on fertility.
Folic Acid
Folic Acid, also known as Vitamin B9, plays a key role in fertility, pregnancy and the health of the baby. One study on “Supplementation for Women” who were trying to conceive found that, use of a folic acid supplement in women undergoing IVF helped optimize the homocystein pathway in follicular fluid, which was associated with better embryo quality and a greater chance of becoming pregnant.
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the recommended dose for daily intake of folic acid is:
When it comes to male fertility and Folic Acid supplementation, studies have shown mixed results. We know that Folic Acid has important role in overall health and although it might not have direct effect of male fertility, it may still be recommended by your doctor. (2)
Myo-Inositol
It has been demonstrated that inositols facilitate the ovulatory process through insulin-sensitizing action.
Myo-inositol has shown to have a positive effect on in-vitro maturation of oocytes in rats and also reducing the gonadotropins dose and stimulation window in women undergoing IVF.(7)
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced in our brains that helps to support our circadian rhythm, therefore promoting a healthy night’s sleep. This has positive effects on oocyte quality, luteal function and embryo quality.(7)
N-Acetyl Cystein (NAC)
NAC has antioxidant, myolytic and insulin-sensitizing properties. NAC supplementation may support ovulation in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It can also improve oocyte and embryo quality in women undergoing IVF(7)
CoQ10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an anti-oxidant that our body produces naturally. It protects our cells from damage, however it decreases with age. Supplementation is associated with an improvement of oocyte quality in both animals and human studies. CoQ10 plays a role in the protection of female gametes. (7)
Vitamin B12
Studies have shown a possible correlation between B12 deficiencies and failure to ovulate. When deficiency develops it can lead to changes or disruption in ovulation, defective implantation, or even fetal loss. It is important to ensure that a B12 level test is done for women undergoing fertility treatments. must request a B12 level test to be ordered by their doctor. Women with PCOS who take metformin as the first line treatment, may need supplemental B12.
Vitamin D
Omega-3
Higher Omega-3 and lower trans fatty acid intake may enhance female fertility.
Supplementation with certain antioxidants, specifically: Selenium, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, CoQ10, and caranites can beneficially modulate sperm quality parameters. Eating a diet rich in these supplements can positively affect sperm quality.
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Optimum Pharmacy
615 Davis Dr. Unit#101, Newmarket,
ON L3Y 2R2
