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What Helps Fertility?

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Trying to get pregnant can be an exciting experience, but when it doesn’t happen after several months of trying, it’s natural to wonder what you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant. One of the most common questions we hear from couples who are struggling to conceive is “What helps fertility?” 

Some lifestyle changes may help, and it’s a good idea to talk to fertility specialists about what changes you may need to make. Working with the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health is the best way to be sure you’re doing all you can to help fertility. 

Better Food Choices

One of the first things to focus on that may help problems with fertility is working on reaching a healthy body weight. Being overweight or underweight can disrupt hormones and impact ovulation. Be sure to include nutrient-rich foods in your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants help to deactivate free radicals that can damage both egg and sperm cells. Examples of foods rich in antioxidants include vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. 

Cut back on processed foods and refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread. Refined carbohydrates can affect your blood sugar which can impact hormone production.

Work on Getting More Active

It’s also important to be proactive about including exercise in your daily routine. Moderate exercise can be beneficial to both women and men. Try to include 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise such as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle. This can help you cope with stress and can help to balance hormones. If you haven’t been exercising at all, talk to your doctor to find out the best way to increase your activity gradually.

At the opposite extreme, excessive exercise can be a factor in suppressing ovulation. It can be detrimental to fertility if you exercise vigorously more than 5 hours a week.

Things to Avoid

When you’re trying to get pregnant, there are some things that you should avoid. Stress caused by any source can wreak havoc on your body and unfortunately, infertility may make you feel even more stressed. Work on limiting the stress in your life by making time to relax and learning stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.

Avoid toxic chemicals. Toxins may be a hazard at work for some professions such as dry cleaning or printing. Consider what you’re being exposed to at home, such as cleaning products with endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Wear gloves when using strong cleaning products. 

Excessive amounts of alcohol or tobacco can affect fertility in both women and men. There’s some evidence that consuming too much caffeine may also have an impact, so it’s best to avoid excessive caffeine when you’re trying to get pregnant.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, we recognize how stressful it is to be unable to get pregnant. Our dedicated staff can answer any questions you may have about things you can do to help fertility. Let us help you on your journey to pursue a healthy pregnancy. Schedule an appointment today.

See Dr. Mor’s Publications

Eliran Mor, MD

Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Santa Monica, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA
Reproductive Endocrinologist located in Encino, Valencia & West Hollywood, CA Doctor Mor received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University-Sackler School of Medicine in Israel. He completed a four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. Subsequently, Dr. Mor completed a three-year fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility […]
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FAQ

What does a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist do?

Reproductive endocrinology and Infertility is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to managing medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the female reproductive tract, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility (REI) specialists undergo additional years of training to provide fertility treatments using assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization.

Reproductive endocrinologists receive board certification by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

When should I see an REI specialist?

In general, patients should consider consulting with an REI specialist after one year of trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy. The chance of conceiving every month is around 20%, therefore after a full year of trying approximately 15% of couples will still not have achieved a pregnancy.

However, if a woman is over the age of 35 it would be reasonable to see a fertility specialist earlier, typically after 6 months of trying.

Other candidates to seek earlier treatment are women who have irregular menses, endometriosis, fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), women who have had 2 or more miscarriages, or problems with the fallopian tubes (prior ectopic pregnancy).

What are the reasons we are having trouble conceiving?

Approximately 1/3 of the time cause for infertility is a female factor, 1/3 of the time a male factor, and the remaining 1/3 a couples’ factor.

At CCRH, we emphasize the importance of establishing a correct diagnosis. Both partners undergo a comprehensive evaluation including a medical history and physical exam.

Furthremore, the woman’s ovarian reserve is assessed with a pelvic ultrasound and a hormonal profile. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) will confirm fallopian tube patency and the uterine cavity is free of intracavitary lesions. A semen analysis is also obtained to evaluate for concentration, motility, and morphology of the sperm.

Additional work up is then individualized to direct the best possible treatment option for each couple.

What is IVF? What is the process like?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process that involves fertilization of an egg outside of a woman’s body.

The process starts with fertility drugs prescribed to help stimulate egg development. In your natural cycle, your body is only able to grow one dominant egg, but with stimulation medication we can recruit multiple eggs to continue to grow. After about 8-10 days of stimulation, the eggs are surgically retrieved and then fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. Fertilized eggs are then cultured under a strictly controlled environment within specialized incubators in the IVF laboratory for 3-5 days while they develop as embryos. Finally, embryos (or an embryo) are transferred into the uterine cavity for implantation.

Should I have IVF?

Before deciding if IVF is the right choice, it’s important to sit down with an REI specialist to discuss available treatment options. For some people, other methods such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be the best first choice treatment. At CCRH, we believe each individual couple is unique and not everyone needs IVF.

Is the IVF procedure painful?

While not painful, the fertility medications may some side effects including headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and bloating. The injection sites may also bruise.

Will IVF guarantee a baby?

Unfortunately, no. Many people think once they start IVF it’s a matter of time that they will be pregnant and have a baby. But according to national statistics per the Society of Assisted Reproduction (SART), on average 40% of assisted reproduction cycles achieve live births in women under age 35. The chances of success then continue to decrease with advancing age.

At CCRH, we employ only evidence-based interventions to ensure patient safety and optimal outcome. While we cannot guarantee a baby, we guarantee that you will receive the best, most advanced, personalized care to help you maximize your chance of a baby.

What is the success rate for IVF?

The average IVF success rate (success measured in live birth rate) using one’s own eggs begins to drop around age 35 and then rapidly after age 40. This is due to the decline in egg quantity and egg quality as a woman ages.

Our clinic’s success rate consistently beats the national average year after year.

Do insurance plans cover infertility treatment? How much does IVF cost?

Individual insurance plans often do not have any coverage for infertility treatments. If you have a group plan, you can call members services to see if they have coverage for infertility (including consultation/workup and IVF).

After your consultation with our REI specialist, one of our dedicated account managers with sit with you to go over the cost of treatment.

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