Given that medical fertility treatments can cost thousands of dollars and often involve taking artificial hormones, many women seek natural alternatives to boost fertility. Enhancing fertility through natural means not only helps you to set the stage for a healthy pregnancy, but it allows you a degree of control over the happenings in your body.
Be sure to consult your doctor before taking any herbal or vitamin supplements. Natural products can negatively interact with each other or with any medications you may be taking.
Diet
Women seeking to boost their fertility may find success by maintaining a healthy diet. A 2007 study conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that that subjects who ate a balanced diet of certain types of foods were more likely to get pregnant---particularly subjects with ovulatory disorders. According to the Harvard Nurses' Health Study, women hoping to improve their fertility should eat plant proteins, complex carbohydrates, lean animal proteins, foods rich in monounsaturated fats, and a small amount of full-fat dairy products.
Herbs
Herbs have been used to enhance fertility since ancient times. Dr. Randine Lewis, author of "The Infertility Cure," recommends numerous herbs for fertility including: evening primrose oil, false unicorn root, vitex, red raspberry and dong quai. According to Dr. Lewis, False unicorn root, vitex and dong quai are often used to strengthen the uterus, regulate menstrual cycles and stimulate ovulation. Evening primrose oil is known to help produce copious amounts of cervical fluid, enabling sperm to travel to the egg. Red raspberry helps to thicken the endometrial lining, increasing the ability of a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus.
Vitamins
While no vitamin or mineral can guarantee conception, certain vitamins have been shown to improve fertility-impairing conditions such as poor egg quality or hormonal imbalances. Findings released at the 2006 annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine report that folic acid can enhance fertility in women. Folic acid is found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale, broccoli, lentils, chickpeas, organ meats, asparagus, oatmeal and avocados. The website Fertility Factor notes that other vitamins and minerals beneficial for fertility include vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin B6.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy where very fine needles are inserted into the body to treat various conditions. Although Western scientists cannot explain how or why acupuncture works, a slew of studies have confirmed that it can enhance fertility. AcupunctureToday.com reports that, among other things, acupuncture has been shown to lower stress, regularize the menstrual cycle, increase blood flow to the uterus and balance hormones related to reproduction.
Lifestyle Changes
Women can improve their fertility by eliminating certain social behaviors that can impair their chances of conception. Women hoping to conceive should refrain from smoking, using recreational drugs, and drinking excessive amount of alcohol. Also, because infertility has been linked to stress, women should take steps to reduce the amount of stress in their lives.
References
- The Infertility Cure, by Randine Lewis, Ph.D
- Newsweek: How Diet Affects Fertility
- Daily Mail: Folic Acid Helps Fertility in Women
- Fertility Factor: Natural Treatments, Vitamins
- Acupuncture Today: Acupuncture in IVF
