improving sperm quality and quantity

What Helps With Sperm Count and Quality?

If you’ve been trying to have a baby and it’s just not happening, you might have a low sperm count. But don’t panic. It’s actually one of the most common causes of male infertility.

You’ll have to see your doctor to be sure. But there may be things you can do to boost your count naturally. And they’re actually pretty simple.

What Is Low Sperm?

A “normal” sperm count is at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen. If you have less than that, you have what doctors consider “low” sperm count, called oligospermia.

When you don’t have enough sperm, there’s less of a chance they’ll reach and fertilize the egg, which can lead to fertility problems.

What Is Quality Sperm?

Even if you have a normal sperm count, they still have to be healthy enough to make the journey from your partner’s vagina to the cervix and uterus to the fallopian tubes. If they’re not, you’ll have a hard time getting them pregnant.

There are three ways your doctor can tell whether your sperm is healthy or “quality.”

Quantity. This measures how many sperm you have in your semen when you ejaculate. Remember, you need at least 15 million sperm per milliliter of semen to have a “normal” sperm count.

Movement. Doctors call this “motility.” It measures how fast or well your sperm move to their final destination -- your partner’s egg. You want at least 50% of your sperm moving.

Structure. Normal sperm have egg-shaped heads and long tails. Sperm use these tails to “swim” to the egg. The more normal-shaped sperm you have, the easier it will be for them to reach your partner’s egg.

Causes of Low Sperm

Any number of things can lead to low sperm count, including previous medical problems, age, and your environment. Your lifestyle factors in, too, so if you smoke or use recreational drugs, they can affect your fertility.

How Can I Help My Sperm?

Fortunately, there could be a number of things you can do to increase the amount of healthy, quality sperm your body makes.

Exercise. We know that moderate exercise can boost your mood. But it turns out that it can boost your sperm count, too. Researchers found that men who exercise at least three times per week for 1 hour showed increases in their sperm count and the number of moving sperm, as well.

Stop stressing. It’s easier than it sounds, but do it, especially if you’re trying to have a baby. In a study of 950 men, researchers found that males who had more than two stressful events before starting treatment for infertility were more likely to have low sperm count and motility.

If you smoke, quit. Men who smoke are more likely to have lower sperm count, density, and motility. They also produce less semen than men who don’t smoke.

Say no to drugs. Certain ones, like cocaine and heroin, can affect your ability to get or keep an erection. Other drugs, like marijuana, can make it hard for you to produce sperm. They can also reduce your sperm’s motility or prevent them from developing normally.

Eat right. Choosing a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables may boost your semen quality. Eating fewer fatty foods and a little less protein could also help.

 

improving sperm quality and quantity

How to Improve SPERM Quality

 

If you and your partner are planning a pregnancy, you might be wondering about the health of your sperm. Understand the factors that can affect male fertility — then consider steps to help your sperm achieve your goal.

What determines sperm health?

Male reproductive system

Sperm health depends on various factors, including quantity, movement and structure:

• Quantity. You're most likely to be fertile if your ejaculate — the semen discharged in a single ejaculation — contains at least 15 million sperm per milliliter. Too little sperm in an ejaculation might make it more difficult to get pregnant because there are fewer candidates available to fertilize the egg.
• Movement. To reach and fertilize an egg, sperm must move — wriggling and swimming through a woman's cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes. This is known as motility. You're most likely to be fertile if at least 40% of your sperm are moving.
• Structure (morphology). Normal sperm have oval heads and long tails, which work together to propel them. While not as important a factor as sperm quantity or movement, the more sperm you have with a normal shape and structure, the more likely you are to be fertile.

What causes male fertility problems?

Various medical issues can contribute to male fertility problems, including:

• A problem in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland — parts of the brain that signal the testicles to produce testosterone and sperm (secondary hypogonadism)
• Testicular disease
• Sperm transport disorders

Age can also play a role. The ability of sperm to move and the proportion of normal sperm tend to decrease with age, affecting fertility, especially after age 50.

What's the best way to produce healthy sperm?

You can take simple steps to increase your chances of producing healthy sperm. For example:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Some research suggests that increasing body mass index (BMI) is linked with decreasing sperm count and sperm movement.
• Eat a healthy diet. Choose plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants — and might help improve sperm health.
• Prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Sexually transmitted infections — such as chlamydia and gonorrhea — can cause infertility in men. To protect yourself, limit your number of sexual partners and use a condom each time you have sex — or stay in a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who isn't infected.
• Manage stress. Stress can decrease sexual function and interfere with the hormones needed to produce sperm.
• Get moving. Moderate physical activity can increase levels of powerful antioxidant enzymes, which can help protect sperm.

What's off-limits?

Sperm can be especially vulnerable to environmental factors, such as exposure to excessive heat or toxic chemicals. To protect your fertility:

• Don't smoke. Men who smoke cigarettes are more likely to have low sperm counts. If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit.
• Limit alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to reduced testosterone production, impotence and decreased sperm production. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Avoid lubricants during sex. While further research is needed on the effects of lubricants on fertility, consider avoiding lubricants during intercourse. If necessary, consider using baby oil, canola oil, egg white or a fertility-friendly lubricant, such as Pre-Seed.
• Talk to your doctor about medications. Calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, anti-androgens and other medications can contribute to fertility issues. Anabolic steroids can have the same effect.
• Watch out for toxins. Exposure to pesticides, lead and other toxins can affect sperm quantity and quality. If you must work with toxins, do so safely. For example, wear protective clothing and equipment, and avoid skin contact with chemicals.
• Stay cool. Increased scrotal temperature can hamper sperm production. Although the benefits have not been fully proved, wearing loose-fitting underwear, reducing sitting, avoiding saunas and hot tubs, and limiting scrotum exposure to warm objects, such as a laptop, might enhance sperm quality.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer can impair sperm production and cause infertility that might be permanent. Ask your doctor about the possibility of retrieving and storing sperm before treatment.

When is it time to seek help?

Adopting healthy lifestyle practices to promote your fertility — and avoiding things that can damage it — can improve your chances of conceiving. If you and your partner haven't gotten pregnant after a year of unprotected sex, however, you might consider being evaluated for infertility. A fertility specialist also might be able to identify the cause of the problem and provide treatments that place you and your partner on the road to parenthood.

 

How to Improve SPERM Quality

Tips to Prepare for Fertility Treatment

Most Important Tips to Prepare for Fertility Treatment

Over 80% of the time, fertility drugs can stimulate ovulation—fertility treatments are being done now more than ever. Current technology offers fertility treatments to make pregnancy a reality for many couples who would otherwise struggle. Fertility treatments are a highly involved process and can be both emotionally and physically taxing. However, certain things can help you prepare for fertility treatments to alleviate stress and increase the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.

7 Tips to prepare for fertility treatments

• Quit unhealthy habits - When starting fertility treatments, quit smoking, drinking, and staying up late to help prepare your body for a pregnancy while increasing the chances of getting pregnant.
• Maintain a healthy weight - Being overweight can affect pregnancy. Excess weight increases the risk of a miscarriage and can affect outcome with in vitro fertilization procedure (IVF). A high BMI also affects the safety of undergoing anesthesia or sedation, which is necessary with IVF.
• Eat a balanced diet - Eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help you maintain a good weight while building up nutrition for better overall health.
• Get quality sleep - Sleep is crucial for cellular repair, maintaining stress levels, and essential for fertility. Set a goal of getting between 7/ 9 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Maintain stress levels- Stress can hurt the chances of successful fertility. Seek ways to maintain stress during this process. Try things like acupuncture, walking, journaling, and meditating to decrease anxiety.
• Change workout routines - Exercise is great for increasing fertility. Replacing running and extreme exercising like bodybuilding to a gentler routine. Yoga, walking, swimming, hiking, and biking are wonderful ways to get gentle exercise during fertility treatments and pregnancy.
• Begin taking a prenatal vitamin - It is recommended to increase nutrients during fertility treatments. Prenatal vitamins are an excellent choice to ensure the body has enough folic acid, which aids in developing the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy. Please discuss with your doctor what prenatal vitamins they recommend.

Prepare for Fertility Treatment

Increase Your Chances of IVF Success

How to Increase Your Chances of IVF Success

If you are looking to increase your chances of conceiving during IVF, here are 8 tips from 5 different fertility doctors.

• 1. Maintain a healthy weight.

"Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely important in fertility and IVF," says Linnea Goodman, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UNC School of Medicine. "We know that being obese (BMI >35) and underweight (BMI <19) increases time of conception by 2 and 4 times respectively, and negatively effects IVF success rates. Being overweight also makes monitoring the ovaries during IVF more difficult and increases the chance of complications during egg retrievals."

This is best implemented with changes in diet and activity with professional help.

"Working with dietitian, and in some programs enrolling in a cardio metabolic weight loss program can help achieve these goals," says Zaraq Khan, MD, reproductive endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

2. Optimize sperm health.

"Use of multivitamins and maintaining optimal body weight, as well using boxers over briefs, could improve sperm quality," says Dr. Khan. "Under appropriate care, men can also be started on medications that can help boost sperm numbers and quality that can have a beneficial impact on IVF outcome. In certain cases, sperm aspirated directly from the testicle over ejaculate could also be beneficial. Involving a male infertility specialist for any form of abnormalities in semen analyses is key."

• 3. Partner with an excellent doctor and embryology laboratory.

"Choosing an excellent reproductive endocrinologist is twofold: in addition to experience and commitment to evidence-based medicine, look for someone with whom you feel comfortable and connected. Your doctor will accompany you on this very emotional journey and it is important for you to feel supported and heard," says Elizabeth Fino, MD, fertility specialist at NYU Langone Fertility Center. "Asking for recommendations from friends and family who know you best can help guide you to a knowledgeable physician with whom you feel comfortable, but also be sure to do your research."

In a world of online reviews, it can be difficult to determine credibility.

"Be careful of online reviews—they are often completed by select patients who had an extreme experience for one reason or another and may not be universally applicable. FertilityIQ offers a unique model which hones in on specific aspects of the experience after vetting patient reviews.

To find an excellent embryology laboratory, look for a long history of exceptional outcomes. One source is the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology which details the clinic's volume and live birth rate."

4. Reduce your stress.

"Basal stress levels can influence natural and assisted conception rates," says Dr. Khan. "Reducing stress troubles during an IVF stimulation cycle can be one of the hardest things to achieve for couples. Several reports suggest improvement of pregnancy outcomes with the use of acupuncture and other stress relieving techniques, like enrolling in mind-body programs, stress reduction, and resilience training workshops."

5. Quit smoking

"Smoking can drastically decrease chance of success while doing IVF because it effects egg and sperm quality," says Dr. Khan.

But you don't have to do it on your own.

"Quitting smoking is not an easy task and often requires a great deal of personal as well as professional support. Try to involve your friends and family to help encourage you in the process. For smoking cessation, structured programs and/or pharmacological assistance have proven to be most successful," says Dr. Fino.

6. Look into taking supplements

"DHEA and CoQ10 are supplements that have shown some promise in association with an increase in egg quantity and quality," says Dr. Fino. "Talk to your doctor to see if he or she recommends them for you."

Multivitamins may also be helpful, adds Dr. Khan.

7. Ensure you have adequate levels of vitamin D

"Over 40% of individuals are deficient in Vitamin D, and there is emerging data on its association with infertility and worse IVF outcomes," says Tarun Jain, MD, medical director of Northwestern Medicine Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Oakbrook Terrace. "Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level, and consider taking a vitamin D supplement."

8. Focus on persistence and patience.

"Many patients require more than one cycle of IVF to achieve an embryo for transfer and outcomes may vary significantly from cycle to cycle," says Shannon DeVore, MD, at NYU Langone Fertility Center. "If your first cycle wasn't successful, your doctor may be able to adjust the medications to optimize a subsequent one. Other times, it just means keeping at it. Try not to be discouraged by sub-optimal outcomes and setbacks—you are doing everything right. The single biggest thing to remember is that most (or all) of this is out of your control. Nobody likes lack of control, but sometimes letting go can help you endure the journey. Take care of yourself and don't blame yourself when things don't go well. You are not alone, it often takes a village to build a family."

 

Increase Your Chances of IVF Success

How does IVF work

IVF is a common treatment for people who are unable to conceive naturally

Usually in IVF, the woman has medicines (fertility hormones) to stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs. The eggs are then collected and mixed with sperm in a laboratory.

IVF is carried out when the sperm quality is considered to be ‘normal’ If there are issues with the sperm quality such as low motility or numbers, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may instead be used – this is where a single sperm is injected into the egg by an embryologist

If fertilisation is successful, the embryos are allowed to develop for between two and six days. This helps the embryologist to select the strongest embryo, which is then transferred back to the woman’s womb to hopefully continue to a successful birth.

Often several good quality embryos will be created. In these cases, it's normally best practice to freeze the remaining embryos because putting two embryos back in the womb increases your chance of having twins or triplets, which carries health risks. You can use your frozen embryos later on if your first cycle is unsuccessful or you want to try for another baby.

What does IVF involve?

This process outlines a single cycle of IVF following the most commonly used procedure. You may find that your treatment is slightly different depending on your history and what your clinic thinks is best for you.

• Usually, the first step is to use medication to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. There are different ways this can be done. One way is to suppress natural hormones before taking hormone medication to stimulate the ovaries. This treatment, often called a long protocol, involves taking a daily injection or nasal spray to suppress hormone production. A scan checks the woman’s natural cycle is fully suppressed. If it is, hormone treatment (usually gonadotrophin) is started to boost the number of eggs the body produces.
• Some clinics may use the ‘antagonist protocol’. This involves taking medication (an antagonist) to suppress your hormones for a few days after you have taken the hormone medication (usually gonadotrophin) to boost the number of eggs the body produces.
• Whichever way the ovaries are stimulated to produce eggs, you will be closely monitored for a few days by the clinic. This may involve having blood tests or ultrasound scans.
• The eggs will be collected whilst under sedation or general anaesthetic. The procedure takes around half an hour and you may feel a little sore or bruised.
• Whilst the eggs are being collected, the man will be asked to come to the clinic to produce a sperm sample, or your donor sperm will be taken from the freezer, for mixing with your eggs.
• Medication will help to prepare the lining of the womb. This is usually taken as a pessary or gel which you can insert yourself into the vagina / rectum.
• The eggs will be mixed with the sperm in a laboratory. The aim is for the eggs and sperm to fertilise to create an embryo.
• If fertilisation happens, the resulting embryo(s), will be monitored to check how it’s/they’re developing.
• Two to five days after fertilisation, the embryo(s) will be transferred to the womb. You won’t need any kind of anaesthetic for this unless you have a condition that would make the procedure painful. You’ll be given a date to do a pregnancy test. Although you’ll understandably be excited at this stage, try not to do this early as you may get a false result.

tips for increasing IVF success rates

Read any article on “tips for increasing fertility” and you’re bound to see something about the importance of lifestyle – typically diet and exercise. A wide range of studies show a correlation between women with healthy weights and increased IVF success rates.

Exercise and IVF, however, is a trickier business. Too much exercise – particularly cardiovascular activity – seems to have an effect on reproductive hormone production, and that affects your ability to conceive.

Another challenge in determining “how much is too much” is that “exercise” for one woman is very different from exercise for another. The frequent low-impact walker exercises, as does the regular triathlete, as does the lifelong equestrian rider or rock climber. However, the intensity levels and risks associated with these various exercises is very different, and some are more conducive to a successful IVF cycle and a healthy pregnancy than others.

Take it Easy and Other Exercise Tips for IVF Success

After reviewing studies regarding exercise, pregnancy and IVF success, we’ve found these 6 tips will help you achieve the healthy pregnancy and live birth you so anxiously desire.

1. Take it easy. That’s the most important and more general advice we can give to women who are pursuing IVF. We realize that taking it easy is a major challenge for women who are used to vigorous exercise. However, the more studies you review, the more you will see a correlation between increased physical activity and decreased rates of conception. If you are a regular runner, biker, marathon runner or participate in workout regimens designed for moderate/advanced athletes, your doctor is probably going to tell you to take it easy while pursuing your fertility treatments.

2. Four hours or less. What does “take it easy mean?” Well, good question. A study, published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, reviewed IVF results for more than 2200 women over a nine year period. Their conclusion was, “Women who reported exercising 4 hours or more per week for 1-9 years were 40% less likely to have a live birth and were almost three times more likely to experience cycle cancellation and twice as likely to have an implantation failure or pregnancy loss than women who did not report exercise.” These findings may inspire you to pare your routine down a bit during the months preceding, during and after your IVF cycle to give you and your baby the best chance for success. Keep your cardio workouts to no more than 4 hours per week and fill in the gaps with lower-intensity options that still increase strength and flexibility, like yoga, water exercise, or tai chi.
3. Ditch high-impact anything. If your exercise of choice is high-impact, it’s time to put it on the backburner for a while. Any serious falls, injuries or impact to the abdominal wall can seriously compromise your reproductive health, especially if there is a freshly implanted baby in there, or if you are prone to miscarriages.
4. Prepare for “no exercise” during the week of egg retrieval. This isn’t because you shouldn’t (although you will want to take it easy), but more because you probably won’t feel like it. The fertility medications you’ll take, combined with some of their potential physical side effects – like bloating, fatigue and mild discomfort – will make you feel more like lying down and taking a nap than going outside to run a few miles. This is A-OK, and we always recommend you listen to your body and not push anything. You are embarking on a very intricate and delicate process, so you don’t want to do anything that could compromise it.
5. Start finding other modes of stress release. For many women, regular exercise is as much about the stress relief and endorphin rush as it is about weight loss or overall health. If this is the case for you, start learning new ways to reduce or eliminate stress. What are some of the things you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t? Yoga, meditation, more outdoor time, a hobby or craft class, all those books you’ve meant to read but haven’t had time to? Now is the time to start fostering a relationship with other modes of stress release and “escape” so you won’t be so shell-shocked when you have to back off from exercising.
6. Take the long view. Perhaps one of the best pieces of advice for any situation in life is to “take the long view.” Your months, or even a couple years, of lower-impact exercise may seem like forever to you, but they’re really not. You are making a tremendous commitment – mind, body, soul and wallet – to bring a baby into your life. The months you spend cutting back on excessive exercise now will be well worth the final results. Once you have your beautiful baby in your arms, you’ll enjoy nothing more than loading him or her up in your jogging stroller and getting back in shape. For now, just enjoy the miraculous process of transforming two single cells into a healthy, happy, miniature human being!

 

IVF and Exercise: 6 Tips for a Successful and Healthy Pregnancy

Tips to Improve Egg Quality

Here are 7 Tips to Improve Egg Quality and Boost Fertility

Women often ask if there is a natural or 'at home remedy' for boosting egg quality and improving fertility and the changes of pregnancy. Dr. Hirshfeld-Cytron explains what you can do to ensure that your eggs are the best that can be when preparing for conception.

1. Stay Away from Cigarettes.

Smoking permanently speeds up egg loss in the ovaries. The chemicals in cigarettes mutate the DNA in a woman's egg cells, making some of the eggs unsuitable for conception. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, and the number of eggs reduces with age, so it is best to keep eggs healthy and free of unnecessary chemicals.

2. Manage Stress.

Stress can produce hormones such as cortisol and prolactin that can interfere or halt ovulation, which also hinders egg production. Stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, exercise or a warm bath can help keep stress and frustration at bay.

3. Eat Healthy.

Healthy foods improve overall health, this includes helping your eggs stay healthy and high quality, as well as improve overall fertility. Eat plenty of leafy greens, whole grains, lean meats, nuts, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Stay away from trans fats, refined carbs, processed foods or meats, and excessive salt and sugar.

4. Achieve a Normal BMI (body mass index).

Obesity has been linked to reduced fertility and decreased egg quality due to alterations of mitochondrial function and increased oxidative stress. Being overweight can also alter hormonal balance, disrupting ovulation. A body mass index (BMI) between 18.5-24.9 is recommended to achieve pregnancy. To give you an idea of what that looks like, a woman that is 5’6” falls within a normal BMI with a weight range of 115-154 lbs.

5. Boost Blood Flow.

Good egg health is aided by oxygen-rich blood flow to the ovaries. Blood flow in the body can quickly decrease from dehydration, so aim to drink 64 oz. of water each day. Yoga is a healthy and relaxing way to improve blood flow, with poses such as the lotus pose, child’s pose, reclining hero and seated forward bend offering a specific fertility benefit.

6. Invest in Supplements.

No need to break the bank on vitamins, but there are three low-cost options that can help with egg health: Coenzyme Q10, melatonin and fish oil. CoQ10 can boost mitochondrial function as well as antioxidants, improving the quality of eggs (200 mg, 3x daily); melatonin can boost antioxidants, encourage ovarian function and aid in sleep (3mg each evening); and fish oil (EPA/DHA) can help produce higher quality eggs and help reproductive function in advanced maternal age (1200-1500mg EPA + DHA daily, do not exceed 3000 mg/day).

7. Freeze Your Eggs.

If you are planning on delaying motherhood, the best way to protect your fertility future is to stop your biological clock and freeze your eggs. With time, a woman’s natural fertility declines, but frozen eggs remain the same biological age as when they are cryopreserved, boosting your chances of future success.

what to eat during ivf

For those couples embarking on the journey through IVF, diet is as important as ever. The foods you eat create a nutritional foundation upon which all your bodily functions are built. Your diet factors in hormone production, semen production, your egg count, egg quality, the quality of your uterine lining, and a whole slew of other fertility-related processes. Therefore, it stands to reason your diet plays a fairly significant role in the success of your IVF treatment, from the start.

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FOODS THAT AID IVF SUCCESS

An anti-inflammatory diet is instrumental in IVF success. To that end, minimize the intake of processed foods, fast foods, and sugar. Healthy fats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and clean proteins such as fish, legumes, and low-fat poultry are all part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Whole grains, omega 3 rich fish, and nuts contribute significantly to a healthy uterine lining. Soy products are fine, and even considered to be beneficial, for women undergoing IVF.

Here are some suggestions to power you through your day while you undergo IVF treatment:

 

BREAKFAST

Avocado toast is a healthy, easy-on-the-tummy way to start your day. Simply toast up your favorite whole grain bread, and top with sliced avocado. Not only will you keep the morning munchies at bay, you’ll also get a healthy dose of good fat, and important pregnancy vitamins C, E, and K, along with zinc, riboflavin, magnesium, and folate. Top that toast with a poached protein-rich egg and you’ll make breakfast even more nutritious.

Oatmeal is an easy, on-the-go breakfast that brings the pregnancy boosting ability of whole grain to the table. Top with some fresh fruit and low-fat, or dairy free milk and you have a complete breakfast.

 

MID-MORNING SNACK

Smoothies fire up your mid-morning slow down more than any coffee drink or donut ever could. Blend antioxidant-rich berries, some folate heavy greens like spinach, or kale, and nuts or wheat germ, yogurt, non-dairy or low-fat milk, and you have the power of nutrients to aid in IVF success. For a cool treat, make your smoothie the night before and leave on your desk until snack time.

 

LUNCH

Try to center your lunch around whole grains, fresh veggies, and lean protein. A salad of ancient grains like farro, freekeh, quinoa, and kamut, mixed with deep green leaf lettuces, kale, or spinach, sunflower seeds, and a light vinaigrette, served with low-mercury fish, grilled chicken, or tofu, is a delicious way to get all the best nutrients to aid in IVF.

 

AFTERNOON SNACK

Afternoon is the ideal time to enjoy a nice, healthy helping of fruit. Go for fresh fruits like pineapple, citrus, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, apple and papaya-whatever your favorite fresh fruits. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of chia seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds, or have some peanut, almond, or soy butter for a healthy fat addition.

 

DINNER

Dinner is a great time for an easy-prep “nourish bowl”. Delicious and comforting bowls begin with a foundation of brown rice, or any whole grain you prefer. Top with greens sautéed in olive oil, grilled vegetables, your choice of protein, and a tahini-lemon sauce, or the healthy sauce of your choosing.

These are just a few ideas to get you started on a diet that will improve your odds of IVF success. Of course diet is a huge part of your health, but lifestyle also plays a role in your successful IVF treatment.

 

what to eat during ivf

Lifestyle Tips for IVF Success

IVF hopes that millions of couples around the world will be able to live in the joy of their parents. Infertility is not uncommon. One in ten couples are facing infertility problems.

IVF or in vitro fertilization is one of the most common assisted reproductive technology (ART) for couples who cannot naturally become pregnant. However, this process does not guarantee a successful result on the first attempt. The chance of getting pregnant is about 15-20%. The most important step to a successful IVF is to know the tips and habits that will increase your chances of success.

How to prepare for IVF treatment?

First. Do all sorts of research to find out about the IVF clinic or center where you will receive your treatment. There may be one treatment process. However, how treatment is provided makes a big difference. Be mentally prepared for a long-term relationship. IVF success cannot be guaranteed in one cycle. Couples often have to go through multiple cycles. Therefore, it is very important to find out the location of the clinic, the availability of doctors, the approach of staff to you, the skills of technicians, the condition of the lab where fertilization takes place, etc. Create a list. A clinic that offers IVF treatment and confirms details before settling down. In addition, you should check the following information about your clinic or center:

– Pregnancy rate per embryo transfer

– Clinic fertility rate

– Procedure costs

– Clinic certification

– Doctor’s experience certificate

– Number of twins or multiple births

• Avoid increased sperm count and masturbation

 

According to IVF experts, refraining from masturbation or sexual intercourse 3-4 days before the sperm donation or fertilization process increases the chances of successful IVF. During this time, the male partner should not ejaculate. Sperm quality changes over time. Therefore, it is important to analyze semen before the IVF process begins.

 

Important Lifestyle Tips for IVF Success:

For a woman who is undergoing or planning IVF, it is important to understand that every small and large habit plays a major role in her lifestyle. Everything from the diet she consumes to how to deal with her emotionally and mentally therapeutic journey influences her overall lifestyle habits.

1. Good fat is a must

According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, eating a diet rich in monounsaturated fats helps women seeking pregnancy through IVF achieve successful results. Monounsaturated fats are excellent fats that are known to protect the heart and improve fertility. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats include nuts, avocados, olive oil, and sunflower oil. These foods not only improve fertility, but also help the growth and development of the fetus. Adding good fat to your regular diet is the first tip to a successful IVF. Adding good fat does not guarantee 100% successful IVF, but it can definitely increase your chances.

Here’s how to renew your diet:

– Eat fresh fruits and vegetables

– Eat whole grains and lean protein

– Add legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas

– Switch to low-fat dairy products

– Disable lean meats and processed foods

2. Trust the goodness of meditation

IVF is a complex process. In most cases, repetitive cycles, efforts, and costs can hurt the lives of couples, especially women. However, in reality, stress can affect the reproductive system and further delay the chances of successful IVF. When you start in vitro fertilization treatment, it is normal for stress and anxiety to hurt your life. However, the way to deal with anxiety is stress relief. Meditation is the best way to relieve stress. Breathing meditation can reduce stress and improve body performance.

3. Avoid alcohol, smoking and caffeine

Alcohol is a teratogenic substance, meaning that it can affect the normal functioning and formation of the fetus. Therefore, women who are trying to become pregnant at any cost should avoid alcohol. Smoking is another thing that can affect the success of IVF. Smoking affects the quality of eggs and sperm. Smoking can significantly reduce the chances of getting pregnant by in vitro fertilization Caffeine can adversely affect your baby’s health. Pregnant women or women preparing to carry a baby should not exceed 200 mg per day. Avoid coffee and soda. These are a rich source of caffeine. IVF experts suggest avoiding caffeine altogether once treatment begins.

4. Maintain a healthy weight

Obesity is not good for fetal development. Body mass index (BMI) has a direct impact on your health. Being overweight or obese reduces the chances of successful in vitro fertilization. Similar harm can occur in underweight women. If you are at both ends of your weight range, make the necessary changes to achieve a healthy weight. Eat a healthy diet and incorporate aerobic exercise as a basic lifestyle habit.

5. Avoid strenuous exercise

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for successful in vitro fertilization, but not through strenuous activity. Indulging in active activity can do more harm to your body than benefits and reduce your chances of successful conception. Avoid strenuous exercise after conception as it can cause implantation failure and miscarriage. If it is imperative to achieve a healthy weight, try to achieve it by doing low intensity exercises such as yoga, walking and swimming.

6. Get enough sleep

Sleep is an important determinant of the success or failure of IVF treatment. Before you book in vitro fertilization, you need to adjust your sleep cycle. Go to bed early and get a good night’s sleep for 7-8 hours every day. More or less sleep can reduce the chances of successful IVF. Keep electronic devices away from your body while you sleep. A good night’s sleep in a dark environment is thought to regulate melatonin in the body, which can improve a woman’s mental and emotional well-being.

7. Avoid harmful chemicals

Avoid chemicals that can interfere with the success of IVF.

– Manicure

– Cosmetics, soaps and shampoos containing parabens, triclosan and benzophenones

– Brominated flame retardants in furniture and electronic devices

8. Take supplements

Once you start IVF treatment, there are some important supplements you can take.

Start with prenatal vitamins before starting the first cycle. Increase your intake of folic acid.

Prenatal vitamins can even help your partner improve their sperm health. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to problems with fetal health development. Therefore, taking vitamin D supplements is very important for the success of IVF.

These are basic lifestyle tips that can guarantee a healthy and successful IVF for any couple. If you have a health problem or are facing a problem, it is always best to notify and consult an IVF specialist immediately and without delay, rather than relying on lifestyle tips from your side.

 

Lifestyle Tips for IVF Success

What to eat during IVF

 

During an IVF cycle, focus on eating healthy, balanced meals. Don’t make any major or significant changes during this time, like going gluten-free if you weren’t already.

 

Doctors recommend a Mediterranean-style diet. Its plant-based, colorful foundation should provide the positive nutrition your body needs.

 

In fact, research shows that a Mediterranean diet may improve the IVF success rate among women who are under 35 years old and who don’t have overweight or obesity.

 

While the study was small, eating a healthy diet during the weeks leading up to the cycle certainly doesn’t hurt.

Since diet also affects sperm health, encourage your partner to stick to the Mediterranean diet with you.

Here are easy ways to revamp your nutrition with the Mediterranean diet:

 

• Fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Choose lean proteins, like fish and poultry.
• Eat whole grains, like quinoa, farro, and whole grain pasta.
• Add in legumes, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
• Switch to low-fat dairy products.
• Eat healthy fats, such as avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, nuts, and seeds.
• Avoid red meat, sugar, refined grains, and other highly processed foods.
• Cut out salt. Flavor food with herbs and spices instead.

What to eat during IVF