One of the most emotional experiences in life is attempting to get pregnant and starting a family. The process can be like riding a roller coaster for you and your spouse, the emotional highs and lows can be extremely hard for both of you.
Resorting to fertility drugs and invasive procedures may seem like your only option, but the risks and side effects can be scary. Not to mention the cost, and generally, your health insurance won’t cover the treatments either.
On the bright side, there are several natural fertility methods you can try on your own that have proven to be quite successful for many couples. Before you decide to foot the bill for costly and risky fertility drugs, talk with your spouse about giving these alternative fertility methods a try.
6 Alternative Fertility Methods You Should Be Discussing
1. Give your diet a makeover
Poor diet is at the root of many health concerns, and fertility is no different. Everyone knows that refined sugars and processed foods should be avoided. But, did you know that eating the right foods can actually boost your fertility?
Many women wait until they are actually pregnant to start eating better, but that’s a big mistake.
Start making changes now by including more unprocessed, whole foods while you are trying to get pregnant.
You will notice gradual improvements in your health overall and the systems in your body will begin to function the way they’re supposed, including your reproductive system.
Be sure to eat plenty of lean meats and lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. One of the most important things to include are tons of leafy green vegetables. Whole, unprocessed grains are also crucial; look for gluten-free options if you have issues with gluten.
Choose full-fat dairy options over the low-fat versions when you’re trying to conceive. Add in other good fats, too, including coconut oil, olive oil, seed, nuts, and avocados.
2. Reduce your stress levels
The typical American lifestyle includes lots of stress and never enough sleep. Women are especially guilty of trying to fit way too much into their day. Stress is a leading cause of so many health issues, including fertility issues.
In fact, stress is one of the main factors that contribute to infertility. Whenever you get anxious or worried, you are causing a stress response that actually makes it more difficult for you to conceive.
Incorporate as many stress-reducing activities into your daily life as much as possible.
Consider meditation, yoga, and massage. Long walks in the fresh air can be incredibly soothing. Sit down and watch your favorite more or read that book you’ve been eyeing. Find ways to relax, and don’t forget to get plenty of sleep, too.
3. Track your menstrual cycles
One of the best things you can do to help yourself conceive is learning how to keep track of your reproductive cycle.
Begin by marking your periods on a calendar to help you predict when you’ll be ovulating.
You must also learn how to take your basal body temperature and also what the different stages of cervical mucus mean. These are the best clues your body can give you to help you know when conception is most likely.
4. Give acupuncture a chance
Many people think acupuncture is only good for chronic pain, but it has been proven to do so much more. Not only is acupuncture more affordable than many other fertility treatments, but it’s also a natural and safe way to increase your chances of conceiving.
Acupuncture has been shown to improve the flow of blood to the uterus, stabilize hormone levels, and relieve stress. Those are three of the most crucial things when you are trying to conceive.
The increased flow of blood to the reproductive organs helps to regulate your reproductive cycle.
It also makes your uterus more welcoming to conception by creating a thicker lining in the uterus. This also improves your chances of achieving a full-term pregnancy. Even better, acupuncture can also reduce the contractions of the uterus, which is crucial if you have issues with miscarriage or preterm labor.
Another leading cause of conception issues is a hormonal imbalance. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and non-existent or very irregular periods are caused by hormonal imbalances. They can also cause issues such as early labor and even miscarriage. Acupuncture can be a very effective way to regulate your hormone levels.
You probably already know that acupuncture can help you relax. As we’ve already discussed, stress is a huge factor in the inability to conceive. In fact, one of the most common causes of infertility is a stress-related hormonal imbalance.
Fertility acupuncture is often combined with many of the methods we’ve already discussed to form a total mind and body treatment plan to help you conceive and carry to term. A fertility acupuncturist will often incorporate lifestyle and diet changes, bodywork (massage), Chinese herbal medicine, and acupuncture sessions into a highly effective plan to help you get pregnant.
5. Have your thyroid checked
To have good overall health and fertility, you need a healthy thyroid. Issues with either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism will cause hormonal imbalances and possible miscarriage, early labor, and other fertility problems.
Tracking your basal body temperature can help you know if your thyroid is functioning the way it should.
A consistently low basal body temperature could mean hypothyroid issues. A consistently high basal body temperature could mean hyperthyroid issues.
If you suspect either one, it’s worth having your doctor do a full thyroid panel to uncover any problems. You should also avoid anything that contains soy and focuses on including healthy carbs like root veggies and whole grains into your diet to support your thyroid.
6. Regulate your progesterone levels
Hormone levels are essential when it comes to fertility and pregnancy, and progesterone is one of the most important ones. Having a good progesterone level can help you get pregnant and stay pregnant.
Common signs of insufficient progesterone levels are chronic fatigue, foggy thinking, cold feet and hands, and mood swings.
Your doctor can confirm it by running a full hormone panel. You can boost your progesterone level naturally by eliminating things like refined sugars, alcohol, and caffeine while including good carbs, more fibre, and whole foods.
Talk to your partner about trying these alternative fertility methods before you turn to the riskier drugs and procedures. You might both be surprised to see how effective they can be. Even better, these few easy changes will improve your overall health.
The post Here’s How You Can Boost Your Fertility Naturally appeared first on Marriage.com Blog.
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