When getting pregnant doesn't happen quickly, men and women often look for ways to raise their fertility levels. Optimizing your fertility can be a tricky process. A change in diet, change in lifestyle, education or even medical intervention may be necessary to raise your fertility level enough to get pregnant.
For Women
Step 1
Change your diet. Reducing your intake of trans fat and sugar from carbohydrates, consuming more protein from vegetables than from animal products, eating more fiber and iron and consuming more high-fat dairy products and less low-fat dairy products may improve your fertility, according to a 2007 study conducted by Harvard's School of Public Health.
Step 2
Get healthy. Women who exercise, have a low body mass index and take a multivitamin and folic acid are more fertile than those who do not, according to Harvard School of Public Health's 2007 study of infertility.
Step 3
Avoid smoking, caffeine and stress. According to the Mayo Clinic, these things may not only impair your fertility, but also could be harmful to the fetus when you do become pregnant.
Step 4
Educate yourself on when you are at your most fertile and time intercourse accordingly. Sometimes failing to get pregnant may not be because there is a problem with your fertility level, but just a problem with your timing.
Step 5
Seek medical treatment. If the natural options of raising your fertility level don't help, fertility drugs or other medical intervention may help. Talk to your doctor to discuss your options.
For Men
Step 1
Change your diet. According to the Mayo Clinic, eating foods that contain plenty of antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, may improve the health of your sperm and, as a result, your fertility.
Step 2
Avoid lubricants during sexual intercourse. Unless the lubricant is vegetable-oil based, lubricants may impair the motility of the sperm and should be avoided when trying to get a woman pregnant.
Step 3
Get healthy. Watching your weight, getting regular exercise and taking a multivitamin can improve the quality of your sperm, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Keep cool. When the scrotal area becomes too warm, sperm production is decreased. Hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, long hot showers, tight underwear, hot work environments and even prolonged sitting may raise scrotal temperature, but research is still being conducted to determine how great a role these activities may play in male infertility, says the Mayo Clinic.
Step 5
Seek medical treatment. Medical intervention may be necessary if these lifestyle changes do not naturally increase your fertility level. Consult your doctor to discuss if a medical intervention may be right for you.
Tips and Warnings
- It may be beneficial for both the man and the woman to get a preconception checkup before trying to conceive a baby. If there is a medical issue with either person, treatment can be sought immediately so the conception process will be shorter and more effective.
- This information should not be taken as medical advice and you should talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your fertility.
