Talk to your doctor or midwife about your workout routine before trying to get pregnant. Many pesticides and herbicides -- chemicals used to kill insects and weeds that threaten crops -- decrease male fertility and may affect female fertility by inhibiting ovarian function and disrupting the menstrual cycle. Most of the studies done to date deal with how occupational exposure affects fertility, but a study published in the March issue of Human Reproduction is the first to show how eating fruits and vegetables with pesticides can affect sperm count.
The study revealed that men who ate the most pesticide-treated foods had both a lower sperm count and lower-quality sperm.
So if you're looking to get pregnant, it's always a good idea to eat organic fruits and vegetables, wash those with residues carefully, and avoid applying pesticides to your lawn or garden.
According to the Centers for Disease Control CDC , radiation, nitrous oxide, jet fuel, and certain common industrial chemicals can disrupt menstrual cycles and decrease fertility. Needless to say, be careful if you have a job working with hazardous chemicals.
Rotating work shifts can also affect fertility: One study of nearly , women found that those who work rotating shifts had an 80 percent higher rate of fertility problems than those who worked steady day shifts. Straight night shifts were better than rotating shifts, too. So remember to maximize your fertility by asking for a steady shift, if possible, and always use personal protective gear if you work in environments with certain chemicals.
As if you needed another reason to quit smoking: Cigarette toxins not only damage a woman's eggs, interfering with the fertilization and implantation process, but also cause the ovaries to age. That means that the ovaries of a year-old smoker function as though they belonged to a year-old and are therefore less fertile , says Robert Barbieri, M.
A normal menstrual cycle lasts about 21 to 35 days start counting on the first day of your period. If your cycle is noticeably longer -- say, 42 days -- you can assume you're ovulating less often and may want to see your ob-gyn or midwife, says Michael Soules, M.
When you're ready to conceive, find your fertile window, during which you should have intercourse regularly. A woman's fertile days are usually the day of ovulation and the four of five days before. But don't assume that you automatically ovulate on day 14 of your cycle: A study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences found that ovulation varies dramatically from woman to woman, occurring as early as day 6 and as late as day 21 of a cycle.
How can you determine when you're ovulating? Urine- or saliva-based ovulation test kits are available over the counter; both types check for the presence of hormones that indicate ovulation is imminent.
You can also note daily changes in your basal body temperature. If the demands of your hectic life have dampened your sex drive, it's a good idea to start having sex more often. Some research suggests that women who engage in regular at least weekly intercourse are more likely to have predictable menstrual cycles and normal ovulation than women who have sporadic sex.
One theory: Your husband emits sex hormones that influence your reproductive system. Weekly sex may also cause you to produce more estrogen. And there's no question that frequent sex helps when you're actually trying to conceive. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, having sex every one to two days during your fertile window is associated with the best chance of pregnancy. But because mandatory sex on certain days can become a chore, you might also try making love every few days all month long.
Some sexual lubricants actually make it harder for sperm to reach their goal of fertilizing an egg. But even certain natural lubes like saliva and olive oil should be avoided. Instead, opt for better choices such as canola, peanut, vegetable, baby, or mineral oils. Or consider using Pre-Seed, an over-the-counter lube that's designed to be sperm-friendly. Douching can wipe out normal, protective bacteria in the vagina, shifting the balance and putting you at risk for bacterial vaginosis BV , a common but often overlooked vaginal infection.
A recent study concluded that heme iron from animal sources had no effect on fertility and non-heme only had some benefit for women who already had iron deficiency. More evidence is needed to confirm whether iron supplements should be recommended to all women, especially if iron levels are already healthy.
But making sure your iron levels are solid with your doctor is a good step. Non-heme iron sources are more difficult for your body to absorb, so try taking them with foods or drinks high in vitamin C to increase absorption.
Alcohol consumption can negatively affect fertility. One study found that having more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week was associated with a longer time to get pregnant. An older study involving 7, women found that a high alcohol intake was associated with more infertility examinations.
However, the evidence on moderate alcohol consumption is mixed. One older study found no link between moderate consumption and infertility, while other studies report that moderate intake can affect fertility.
Ultimately, avoiding excessive consumption of alcohol is recommended. Talk to you doctor about your own intake to ensure the best outcome for you. Certain natural supplements have been linked to increased fertility, especially in animal studies.
Always check with your doctor before taking of natural supplements as efficacy in humans has not been well studied. Good nutrition is vital for a healthy body and reproductive system and to help you become pregnant. Eating a nutritious diet and making positive lifestyle changes can help boost fertility and prepare your body for pregnancy.
Talk to your healthcare team to find the best choices for you. Have questions about infertility tests, treatments, or lifestyle factors? Trying to get pregnant? We have some suggestions on how you can increase your chances of getting a positive result.
Want to get to know your hormones, inside and out? Mira may be the right choice for you. Experts say many women opt for additional treatments during in vitro fertilization IVF procedures despite limited evidence on their effectiveness. At-home fertility tests are a great option for those wanting answer as soon as possible.
Read on for the best at-home fertility test options. Experts say babies from embryos frozen for decades will be more common in the future as scientific technologies continue to advance. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Eat a bigger breakfast. Avoid trans fats. Cut down on carbs if you have PCOS. Eat fewer refined carbs.
Eat more fiber. Swap protein sources. Choose high fat dairy. Add in a multivitamin. Get active. Take time to relax. Cut the caffeine. Aim for a healthy weight. Check those iron levels. Not a fan of fish? Complex carbs. When you can, consume carbs of the complex kind whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits as opposed to the refined varieties white bread, white rice, refined cereal, sugary treats of all types.
Holy whole wheat, batmom! Zinc deficiency can disrupt the menstrual cycle and slow the production of good-quality eggs — neither of which is good for fertility.
Not a fan of oysters in any form? Slurping those bivalves is not the only way to get your share of zinc. Find zinc in smaller amounts in other fertility-friendly foods, incuding beef, poultry, dairy, nuts, eggs, whole grains, and legumes. Some researchers have suggested that this Thanksgiving staple may contain an ovulation-stimulating substance, offering as evidence the fact that wild yam eating populations have a higher rate of twins.
Thinking pink or blue? Think raspberries and blueberries. Packed with antioxidants, these members of the berry family protect your body from cell damage and cell aging — and this includes cells in your reproductive system aka your eggs.
Wondering whether you should be picking other berries , too like strawberries and blackberries? Definitely do. Out of season?
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