Table of contents:
- What should I do to increase fertility?
- 1. Normal weight
- 2. Maintain sperm health
- 3. Stop smoking
- 4. Take care of your food
- 5. Limit drinking coffee and alcohol
- 6. Do not delay sexual intercourse
- 7. Stay away from stress
- 8. Stay away from pesticides
Are you still trying to have children? Sometimes to achieve pregnancy is not something easy for some couples. Some individuals still find it difficult to have children because of the fertility problems they experience. Even though, you and your partner have had frequent sexual intercourse, your fertility factor can hinder your desire. For that, you should increase your fertility so that it is easier for you to achieve pregnancy.
What should I do to increase fertility?
Everyone would want to have a normal fertility rate. Fertility makes it easier for you and your partner to have children. It could be said that the fertility rate determines whether a person has children or not. Therefore, most people do various ways to be able to increase the fertility they have.
Some of the ways that can be done to increase your fertility are:
1. Normal weight
Women are advised to have a normal weight so that their fertility is increased. Women who are too thin or who are underweight (underweight) and women who are overweight (overweight) tends to be more difficult to achieve pregnancy.
Research on 2112 pregnant women shows that women who have a body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy are 25-39 (overweight until obesity) has twice the time to conceive successfully. Meanwhile, women who have a BMI of less than 19 (underweight) has four times longer time to reach pregnancy.
Body weight is associated with disruption of hormone production associated with the release of a woman's egg (ovulation). This makes your menstrual cycle irregular, so it will be difficult for you to achieve pregnancy.
2. Maintain sperm health
Several studies have shown that repeated exposure to heat in a man's testicles can reduce the quality of a man's sperm, which in turn has an effect on male fertility. As in research which says that frequent hot showers can affect male fertility. Other studies have shown that a man's scrotal temperature increases when he is working on a laptop lap and that this can reduce sperm quality if done repeatedly for a long time. There is also research that says that putting a cellphone in a trouser pocket near the testicles can affect sperm health.
3. Stop smoking
Smoking can affect both male and female fertility. In men, smoking can reduce the amount of sperm production and also the DNA damage carried by sperm. Meanwhile, women who smoke can affect the eggs and uterus. Fertilized egg cells tend to have difficulty attaching to the uterus as a place to develop. Therefore, smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage. The toxins in cigarettes can also make the eggs older, for example the eggs you have now are like eggs at the age of 43, even though you were 36 years old, says Robert Barbieri, MD, head of obstetrics and gynecology at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, quoted from parents.com.
4. Take care of your food
When you are trying to get pregnant, you should watch your food consumption. Make sure you meet your needs for essential nutrients, such as protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Deficiencies in these important nutrients can prolong your menstrual cycle and also increase your risk of having a miscarriage early in pregnancy. Also, make sure you eat foods with a balanced diet, which consists of carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
5. Limit drinking coffee and alcohol
Drinking too much coffee or alcohol can affect a woman's fertility rate. A study shows that alcohol consumption can decrease a woman's ability to become pregnant and can also harm fetal development. Alcohol can change the level of estrogen in a woman's body, thereby interfering with the attachment of the egg to the uterus.
For coffee consumption, you should also limit it. Experts say that consumption of more than 5 cups or the equivalent of 500 mg of caffeine a day is associated with reduced fertility rates. Research shows that caffeine can have an impact on female hormone levels and also have an impact on the length of time a woman reaches pregnancy.
6. Do not delay sexual intercourse
Not having sex with your partner for more than five days can affect your sperm count. If you think that having sex every day can decrease the amount of sperm you produce, then your thinking is wrong. Having sex every day will not decrease the amount of sperm your body produces, but it may be tiring for you if you do it every day. Having sexual intercourse every other day may be good for those of you who are trying to have children.
7. Stay away from stress
Stress can affect your fertility. Women with high stress levels have a more difficult time getting pregnant than those with lower stress levels. Therefore, it is best to avoid stress when you are trying to get pregnant. Do things that can calm your heart and mind, such as exercise.
However, the bottom line is not to do strenuous exercise while you are trying to get pregnant. A study shows that women who often do vigorous exercise have lower fertility rates. However, this may also be influenced by other factors, such as body weight.
8. Stay away from pesticides
Many pesticides (chemicals used to kill insects) can decrease male and female fertility. In women, pesticides can interfere with egg function and the menstrual cycle. Whereas in men, according to research published by Human Reproduction in 2015, it shows that men who consume fruits and vegetables that contain pesticides can reduce the number and quality of the sperm they produce. Therefore, it is best to wash fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating to remove pesticide levels.
