We’re all individuals and every person’s journey to conception is different. But that being said, there are rough time estimates of how long it should take that can be used as a guideline for whether it’s time to seek help. Are you a couple or individual who has been trying for a baby for some time now, but without any luck?

Perhaps family and friends have suggested treatments like IVF, but you still wish to conceive naturally. There are certainly steps you can take and interventions that can help. Here, we will share some surprising ways to improve your fertility naturally – so you can give yourself a better chance of achieving your dream of starting a family with minimal stress.

Fertility and your health

Fertility is simply the ability of a person to reproduce. For men, these levels depend on their sperm quality and quantity; for women, it is the number and quality of eggs that determines their fertility. For many couples, the topic of fertility levels can be a source of worry as it may not be what they expect or hope for. But fertility levels are dependent on quite a few factors. And many can be optimised with the help of some (possibly surprising) lifestyle changes.

Before we get to lifestyle, it’s important to recognise that age is one of the biggest factors when it comes to fertility levels. For both genders, ageing brings about a lot of changes in the body, some which affect the hormones that are responsible for our reproductive abilities, including the production of sperm and eggs. In men, both the quality and quantity of sperm declines with age, and as a result can lead to difficulties when trying for a baby.

Similarly, for women, 2 million eggs are present in the ovarian reserve at the time of birth. But, according to the British Fertility Society, when adolescence is reached, this number of eggs has reduced to around 400,000 and by the age of 37, only 25,000 eggs remain. In addition to this, the quality of eggs declines with age too, which can lead to a significant increase in the risk of genetic abnormalities and even miscarriages. 

What can you do to boost your fertility naturally: Top tips

Whilst we may not be able to pause the natural decline in fertility, we certainly can take steps to ensure our bodies are in the best possible place for conception. 

Reduce microplastics

Cutting down on microplastics is the first thing you can do to improve your fertility naturally. These days, almost everything we do or use has plastics in it, from cooking utensils to clothings accessories. And while that’s great for convenience, it’s not great for fertility!

Microplastics are small particles of plastic (below 3mm) that are often derived from larger pieces of plastics and are invisible to the naked eye. When we cut bread on a plastic chopping board or eat food from plastic containers we are also consuming microplastics. It’s even in our water. A recent study found the presence of microplastics in human testicles, which is alarming. But how do plastics affect fertility?

Microplastics contain high levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), PVC and phthalates, chemicals which are notorious for interfering with the hormonal balance of the human body – hormones which play an important role in the reproductive system. PVC in particular contains carcinogens, long-term exposure of which has been strongly linked to cancer. 

Work on reducing your stress

The research on the link between stress and fertility is a bit hazy. Although there has not been any direct link found between stress and lowered fertility, the stress hormone cortisol can have an indirect impact on our hormones which play a big role in the reproductive system. The menstrual cycle relies on a careful balance of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone to not only mature the eggs in the ovaries, but to trigger their release. If hormones are awry, this could potentially impact ovulation, which is vital to natural conception. If you are a couple with hectic work lives and draining lifestyles, this is your sign to take a look at your commitments with a fresh pair of eyes and put a plan in place to tackle stress. 

Up your intake of antioxidants

Checking in on your diet can also be beneficial for your reproductive system. Taking a poor diet can not only impact your body weight, but also result in numerous deficiencies and hormonal fluctuations, which can harm your chances of conceiving naturally. Opting for a mediterranean diet that contains fresh fruits, veges, seafood, nuts, grains, poultry and dairy products can bring a World of difference in your health. In addition to this, choosing items rich in antioxidants like blueberries, or those rich in Omega 3 like salmon can be welcome additions due to their numerous benefits. An inclusion to this list – avoid BPA and PVC plastics containers for these become the most common ways to ingest microplastics along with your food. 

Make use of your calendar

Although this may not be surprising, tracking your menstrual cycle is the best way to understand the best time to have sex to have the best chance of the egg and sperm fertilising. Although it is beneficial to have sex regularly throughout the menstrual cycle, it is worth being aware of the ovulation window – when the egg is released from the ovaries. There is enough literature to support how having sex at the ovulation stage of the cycle is optimal for chances of conceiving – so we won’t bore you with that, but using period tracking apps or an ovulation calculator can definitely help. Once the egg is released from the ovaries, it only has 12-24 hours to get fertilised. And while a male sperm can last for up to 5 days inside the female reproductive system, having regular sex during the ovulation window can help to increase likelihood of conception. 

Scrap the tighty whities

Research by Harvard T.H. Chan suggests that men who wear tight trousers might suffer from reduced levels of sperm production. The male testicles are suspended away from the body to regulate temperature of the testicles – where sperm is produced. If they are elevated closer to the body, this could adversely impact temperature which can in turn affect sperm production. To be on the safe side, scrap the tighty whities and skinny jeans, and switch them out for boxer shorts and loose-fitting trousers.

Taking steps to improve your fertility

Sometimes, even after all of your efforts, conception just isn’t happening. While you can be doing everything right, there is no guarantee. Sometimes, there are physiological issues with the reproductive system that require medical intervention to be resolved, and natural conception may not be possible.