The Impact of Hepatitis on Fertility Hepatitis, a condition characterized...
Read MoreIn short, Fertility is defined as:
The ability to conceive and birth children. For some of us the journey is longer than for others, but by making some lifestyle adjustments, there are things we can do to improve our fertility.
There are several natural methods, such as a healthy diet and exercise, that can be effective in fertility increasing and improving your chances of conception.
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. Be it a support group or therapist, trusted friends and family, your partner, or someone who has experienced it themselves, someone to talk to can help you bear the weight. Yoga, meditation, mindful breathing and making time for hobbies that you love are all recommended ways of reducing stress.
Eating a Fertility Friendly Diet
A healthy and balanced diet plays a key role in regulating hormones and therefore impacting fertility.
Antioxidant-rich foods deactivate free radicals in the body that can impede on sperm and egg cell quality. Incorporating fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains will help you get a good intake of antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E. Foods that are high in healthy fat are also important, but foods that are high in Trans Fats (such as fried foods and baked goods) should be avoided as they have been shown to negatively impact both male and female fertility.
Lowering your carb intake might also be a good idea, especially if you have PCOS, however, it’s not just the amount of carbs that matters but the type of carbs as well. Refined carbs (sugary foods and drinks, and processed grains) are problematic because they are absorbed by the body very quickly and cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels which impacts ovarian hormones. Fiber-rich foods, on the other hand, can help your body get rid of excess hormones and keep you blood sugar balanced.
Making the switch to high-fat dairy products is also something worth looking into, Studies have shown that high-fat dairy consumption is linked to increased fertility, whereas high intake of low-fat dairy products have been shown to have the opposite effect.
For more information on specific supplements that can be beneficial to your fertility, please visit the Fertility Services portion of our website.
Getting Regular Exercise
According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), exercise can have an immediate, positive effect when it comes to strength, overall health, and weight management. In general, frequent moderate exercise is linked to a shorter time when it comes to trying to get pregnant. In fact, studies suggest that ovulatory infertility risk factors may be preventable through nutrition and exercise. Having a high BMI (Body Mass Index) negatively impacts fertility, especially in women with PCOS. On the other hand, having a BMI that is too low can also have a negative impact – consult your doctor about your optimal weight. In addition to promoting regular ovulation and periods by helping you maintain a healthy BMI, exercise also releases endorphins that reduce stress – so moderate exercise is recommended for almost anyone who is trying to conceive.
It is important to note that some doctors may advise against exercise during the IVF process because of the risk of ovarian torsion. Due to the hormonal stimulation from medication, the ovaries can enlarge and put stress on the surrounding ligaments. The risk of ovarian torsion is minimal, but this could be the reasoning behind the doctor’s advice. Always consult your fertility team.
Are there any medications or supplements over the counter that can increase my fertility?
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:
- 400 mcg for women of child bearing age
- 600 mcg for pregnant women
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
There is some evidence to support Vitamin D levels having an effect on the endometrium, suggesting that supplementation may be protective against endometriosis (4) ; making it essential for women who are trying to conceive and/or undergoing in vitro fertilization to maintain optimal levels. Studies also suggest that Vitamin D supplementation may improve metabolic parameters in women with PCOS.
Evidence from epidemiologic studies remain inconclusive, though suggestive that serum levels in the deficiency range are related to worse outcomes in ART (Assisted Reproductive Technologies) Larger studies are required to examine the effects of Vitamin D on fertility, as well as who would benefit from which dose. (5)
Omega-3
Higher Omega-3 and lower trans fatty acid intake may enhance female fertility.
Have questions about your fertility treatment or medications?
Our specialized, registered pharmacists with more than 10 years of experience in fertility therapy are available to support you throughout your fertility journey.
Why choose a fertility pharmacy?
By choosing a pharmacy with exclusive expertise in fertility medications, you get the advantage of gaining access to their unique support and high quality services. This choice can affect your fertility treatment experience.
We understand the time-sensitive nature of fertility medications and therefore we ensure these medications are well stocked and readily available when you need them.
Also, Considering fertility medications are mostly costly and expensive, we offer competitive pricing and provide you with direct billing to your drug benefit insurance to help you with budgeting the journey.
At Optimum Pharmacy, we are dedicated to providing the most satisfactory service for fertility medications in the Greater Toronto Area.
Call us (905) 235 8820
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Read MoreReferences:
- WHO.int
- fertilityinstitute.com
- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- https://journals.lww.com/co-obgyn/Abstract/2014/06000/Vitamin_D_and_female_fertility.5.aspx
- Fertlity and Sterility, Diet and female fertility: doctor, what should I eat? Yu-HanChiuM.D., Sc.D.aJorge E.ChavarroM.D., ScDabcIreneSouterM.D.d
- The Effect of Nutrients and Dietary Supplements on Sperm Quality Parameters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials ,Albert Salas-Huetos,1,2 Nuria Rosique-Esteban,1,2 Nerea Becerra-Tomás,1,2 Barbara Vizmanos,3 Mònica Bulló,1,2 and Jordi Salas-Salvadó1
- Vitagliano, A.; Petre, G.C.; Francini-Pesenti, F.; De Toni, L.; Di Nisio, A.; Grande, G.; Foresta, C.; Garolla, A. Dietary Supplements for Female Infertility: A Critical Review of Their Composition. Nutrients 2021, 13, 3552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ nu13103552
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