Lifestyle factors to consider to generally improve fertility
If you are trying to get pregnant, you may be wondering about your fertility and whether you can improve it. Some factors may be beyond your control such as medical issues that affect the ability to conceive. Lifestyle choices can also have an effect on your fertility.
Healthy lifestyle choices can help you promote fertility. Here is some useful health advice to consider:
Healthy weight
Your weight can affect your chances of getting pregnant, which is why being a healthy weight is important. Being overweight can cause spontaneous conception to decrease, can worsen Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and may cause a decreased in sperm quality.
Being overweight can impact on fertility treatment:
- Affects the outcome of ovulation
- Respond poorly to fertility medication
- Requires higher doses hormones to treat fertility
- Effects In Vitro fertilisation (IVF) chances
- Lower pregnancy rates
Weight loss can improve fertility outcomes by helping menstrual cycles (periods) to regulate and increasing chances of spontaneous ovulation. Gradual sustained weight loss is recommended rather than crash dieting. Find out more information about healthy eating and weight loss.
Quit Smoking
Smoking tobacco and recreational substances can reduce the chances of conceiving naturally and reduces success rates of fertility treatments.
- Smoking can cause an imbalance of female hormones
- Evidence suggest smoking causes damage to the fallopian tubes
- Can impact sperm quality
- Once pregnant, the toxins from smoking transfer through to the growing embryo impacting fetal development.
- Increases the risk of miscarriage or still birth
Help Me Quit offers free one-to-one support from your own personal stop smoking advisor.
Lifestyle factors to consider when planning pregnancy to improve fertility
- Stop smoking
- Stop recreational substances
- Cutting out alcohol
- Maintain a well balanced diet
- Consider low impact exercise
- Seek advice with prescribed and non-prescribed medications and their impact on pregnancy
- Environmental factors can sometimes be an issue (usually work based)
- Be aware of additional stress factors and try and keep to a minimum
As part of our fertility services, you will receive advice on how to improve fertility by optimising your health. By following this health and lifestyle advice, you can improve success rates if fertility treatment is required.
Useful information and resources
- Conception Tips | Fertility Network - Further information on preparing your body and adjusting your lifestyle to maximise your chances of conception.
- Planning your pregnancy | NHS 111 Wales - Improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy by following these steps.
- Trying to get pregnant | NHS - How to increase your chances of getting pregnant.