The dance of conception is a tricky one and one that is often shrouded in mystery. Boosting your fertility is often a matter of understanding the body’s processes fully and taking advantage of activities and supplements that will make it more likely that you will achieve a pregnancy. Here are the top five natural ways to increase female fertility to help you get closer to enjoying the family you want:
Master the Art of Timing
One of the most effective ways to increase your fertility is to master the art of timing your conception activities with your body’s natural cycles. Fertility experts recommend timing sex in the days prior to ovulation in order to make it most likely that conception will occur. In order to pinpoint these high fertility days, you will have to keep track of your body’s cycles and understand your body’s natural rhythm. There are great websites available that will track your menstrual cycles and help you to pinpoint your most fertile days during each month. There are also tools for keeping track of fertility signs, basal body temperature and early pregnancy symptoms.
Have Frequent Sex
Some couples try to “save up” and limit their lovemaking activities to the times when the woman is most fertile. Studies have shown that this temporary abstinence does not increase the likelihood of conception. Experts recommend frequent sexual intercourse in the week leading up to ovulation.
They also caution that going for more than a week without ejaculation can lower both sperm count and motility. The key is to make sure there is enough sperm in the body to be ready to fertilize the egg when the time arrives.
Choose Wisely When it Comes to Lubricants
Many couples are not aware that certain lubricants act as sperm killers, making it nearly impossible for conception to occur. Any lubricant that contains a spermicide is going to be an obvious no-no. Even water-based lubricants can kill sperm motility, decreasing the likelihood that sperm will reach their intended target. Natural lubricants like peanut oil have been shown to be safe for use by couples who are trying to conceive. Other experts recommend canola oil as well.
Kick the Habit
Smoking can have an adverse effect on your fertility and make it more difficult for you to get pregnant. Even second-hand smoke has been known to cause problems with conception, and doctors recommend that couples who are trying to conceive consider kicking the habit. The toxins emitted by cigarettes not only damage a woman’s eggs, but cause her ovaries to age prematurely. This alone can make pregnancy harder to achieve.
However, the good news is that quitting smoking can reverse these negative side effects and give your fertility a much needed boost. Stop smoking and encourage your partner to stop smoking as well to enjoy a natural boost to your fertility.
Add Supplements and Vitamins
While eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and low in fat and sugar is often enough to boost fertility, adding natural supplements to your diet can also help the process. Herbs like cod liver oil and evening primrose oil can thin the mucous membranes in the vagina, making it easier for sperm to survive. Other helpful vitamins and supplements include:
Red Raspberry Leaf
This herb can be taken in pill form or used as a tea. Many women find that red raspberry leaf is both effective in increasing the libido and boosting fertility. Red raspberry leaf is also high in calcium.
Dandelion
Dandelions contain both vitamins A and C and helps cleanser the body of toxins. Many fertility experts recommend taking dandelion in pill form for maximum effectiveness.
Progesterone Cream
For women whose fertility issues can be linked to short cycles or hormonal imbalances, progesterone cream can be vital in restoring a balance to the system and aiding in fertility.
Vitamins that Aid in Fertility
There are several vitamins that will aid in fertility and help boost your ability to conceive naturally.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D comes naturally from the sun and many people across the globe suffer from a deficiency of it, especially in the winter when sunlight is scarce. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression, infertility and miscarriage. There are over the counter supplements you can take to increase your body’s level of this vital nutrient and increase your chances of becoming pregnant.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a strong antioxidant and is known for its ability to ward of disease and cleanse the body of toxins. It is most commonly found in citrus fruits and can be taken in pill form daily to increase fertility. Fertility can be a complicated dance of timing, behavior modification and aligning the body’s natural systems. It can be a time of either great stress or great joy. Find the right natural ways to give your fertility a boost.