3 Tips to Boost Your Fertility

What is The Grapevine? A weekly newsletter that shares clinician-approved fertility insights in an easy-to-understand way.

Are you envisioning a future with children, but not quite ready yet? If so, you're not alone. Planning for your fertility journey can begin long before you're ready to start a family. By taking proactive steps today, you can pave the way for a smoother path to parenthood in the future.

In this week's newsletter, we're focusing on three essential tips to boost your fertility. There are a lot of “old wives’ tales” and misinformation out there, so we boiled it down to the three science-backed behaviors that have the most impact. This preparation for pregnancy is called preconception counseling, essentially getting you to your best before the baby is part of the picture! The good news? These tips not only enhance your chances of conception, but also contribute to a happier, healthier lifestyle overall. 

1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: It's no secret that a healthy lifestyle lays the foundation for optimal fertility. Eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients, getting regular exercise, prioritizing sleep, and managing stress levels are all crucial factors. Diets can be supplemented with prenatal vitamins to boost critical nutrients including folic acid, vitamin D and iron. Smoking and alcohol use can also impact your hormones and fertility, so reducing these behaviors may help increase your chances of pregnancy, especially if you are using fertility treatment.

2. Track Your Cycle: Understanding your menstrual cycle is key to maximizing your fertility potential. If you're not on hormonal birth control, tracking your cycle can provide valuable insights into your reproductive health. Whether you opt for traditional methods like tracking basal body temperature and cervical mucus or you utilize modern fertility tracking apps, keeping tabs on your cycle empowers you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health. If you are noticing consistent irregularity, it can be helpful to chat about it with your OB/GYN provider at your next appointment. 

3. Guard Against STIs: Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can have a significant impact on fertility, causing complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal damage. Though you may be practicing baby making, protect yourself by practicing safe sex and getting regular STI screenings. Prevention is key, so prioritize your sexual health to safeguard your future fertility.

TL;DR: That wasn’t too bad was it? Remember, your fertility journey is unique to you, and it's never too early to start planning for the future you envision. By implementing these tips into your lifestyle now, you're not only investing in your future fertility but also taking proactive steps towards overall well-being. 

Upcoming Newsletter Editions:

• “Our Recommended Prenatal Vitamins”

• “Myth Busters: Fertility Edition”

• “How to choose a fertility clinic”

Make sure to not miss future editions by subscribing to The Grapevine now!

Quick note: We acknowledge that not everyone assigned female at birth or born with ovaries identifies as a woman, so in this newsletter the terms “woman/women” include all persons born with ovaries. This newsletter was written with those assigned female at birth and those born with ovaries in mind, but we also think this is important reading for those who identify with any gender, especially partners and friends. If you have questions or suggestions on how we can be more inclusive, we would love to hear them.

*The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or any other qualified healthcare provider with questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.