Knowledge | Trying to Conceive? Expert Tips for Supporting Fertility Through Everyday Habits
When you decide to enter a new stage of life and welcome a baby, no method can predict exactly when pregnancy will occur. However, if both partners are healthy, have regular sex, and do not use contraception, most couples should conceive within a year.
“About half of couples typically conceive within 6 months, and 70%-80% within one year,” said Amelia McLennan, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of California, Davis Medical Center.
You and your partner can use evidence-based approaches to improve the likelihood of conception. The following recommendations can support your efforts.
For Men: Overall Health Matters
“Many men, especially younger men, assume they are healthy and do not seek routine checkups,” said Michael Eisenberg, MD, director of the Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Program at Stanford University.
Overall health and fertility are closely connected:
A healthy diet,
regular exercise,
a healthy weight,
good sleep, and
stress reduction
are all directly associated with sperm quality.
A comprehensive health examination can identify potential barriers and support sperm health.
For Women: Learn the Signs of Ovulation
Conception requires sperm and an egg to meet. Tracking ovulation can help identify when this is most likely.
If your periods are regular, with cycles of 26-32 days, days 8 through 19 of the cycle are generally the fertile window.
For women with irregular cycles, a calendar alone may not identify ovulation. Other signs include:
Cervical mucus: Before ovulation, discharge increases and becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, similar to egg white.
Basal body temperature (BBT): After ovulation, temperature typically rises by more than 0.6°C and remains elevated for about 10 days. The most fertile time is actually 2-3 days before the temperature rises.
Ovulation predictor kits: These urine tests detect the hormonal surge before ovulation and help identify the fertile window.
For Both Partners: Time Sex Appropriately
Dr. McLennan advised, “Have sex every other day from several days before ovulation until several days after.” This covers the most fertile period while supporting sperm count.
Sexual positions and raising the legs afterward do not improve conception. Staci Pollack, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Montefiore Health System, said, “Sperm are strong swimmers and may reach the fallopian tubes within 2 minutes after intercourse. No additional action is needed.”
For Men: Avoid Excess Heat
If you enjoy hot baths or saunas after exercise, consider pausing these activities while trying to conceive.
“The testes are several degrees cooler than the rest of the body, which is ideal for sperm production. Higher temperatures may affect sperm count,” Dr. Eisenberg explained.
Long hot baths,
frequent sauna use,
or placing a laptop on the lap
may raise testicular temperature and temporarily reduce sperm production.
On the question of boxers versus briefs, Eisenberg gave a clear answer: “It does not make much difference. Wear what feels comfortable.”
For Women: Maintain a Healthy Weight
Dr. McLennan noted that women who are overweight are more likely to have irregular periods or anovulation. Even modest weight loss may improve the chance of conception and reduce pregnancy risks.
Being underweight can also affect fertility and is associated with:
Irregular periods,
preterm birth after conception, and
low birth weight,
all of which warrant attention.
For Both Partners: Review Medications Carefully
If you are trying to conceive, review all medications with your doctor to ensure they do not affect conception or fetal health:
Men taking testosterone supplements may need to stop them.
Women should take particular care with medications for thyroid disease, epilepsy, or psychiatric conditions and with hormonal medications containing estrogen or progesterone.
Some people worry that long-term use of birth control pills affects fertility, but this is generally not a concern. Dr. Pollack said, “Regardless of how many years you have taken the pill, you can become pregnant as soon as your body returns to its usual cycle after stopping.”
Now is also the time to begin taking folic acid. Dr. McLennan emphasized, “Daily folic acid helps prevent fetal neural tube defects and may also support conception.”
Final Note
Conception is not a sprint. It is an ongoing partnership with your body, mindset, and lifestyle. Evidence-based preconception preparation can begin today.
Knowledge | Trying to Conceive? Expert Tips for Supporting Fertility Through Everyday Habits
Knowledge | Trying to Conceive? Expert Tips for Supporting Fertility Through Everyday Habits
When you decide to enter a new stage of life and welcome a baby, no method can predict exactly when pregnancy will occur. However, if both partners are healthy, have regular sex, and do not use contraception, most couples should conceive within a year.
“About half of couples typically conceive within 6 months, and 70%-80% within one year,” said Amelia McLennan, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the University of California, Davis Medical Center.
You and your partner can use evidence-based approaches to improve the likelihood of conception. The following recommendations can support your efforts.
For Men: Overall Health Matters
“Many men, especially younger men, assume they are healthy and do not seek routine checkups,” said Michael Eisenberg, MD, director of the Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery Program at Stanford University.
Overall health and fertility are closely connected:
A healthy diet,
regular exercise,
a healthy weight,
good sleep, and
stress reduction
are all directly associated with sperm quality.
A comprehensive health examination can identify potential barriers and support sperm health.
For Women: Learn the Signs of Ovulation
Conception requires sperm and an egg to meet. Tracking ovulation can help identify when this is most likely.
If your periods are regular, with cycles of 26-32 days, days 8 through 19 of the cycle are generally the fertile window.
For women with irregular cycles, a calendar alone may not identify ovulation. Other signs include:
Cervical mucus: Before ovulation, discharge increases and becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy, similar to egg white.
Basal body temperature (BBT): After ovulation, temperature typically rises by more than 0.6°C and remains elevated for about 10 days. The most fertile time is actually 2-3 days before the temperature rises.
Ovulation predictor kits: These urine tests detect the hormonal surge before ovulation and help identify the fertile window.
For Both Partners: Time Sex Appropriately
Dr. McLennan advised, “Have sex every other day from several days before ovulation until several days after.” This covers the most fertile period while supporting sperm count.
Sexual positions and raising the legs afterward do not improve conception. Staci Pollack, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Montefiore Health System, said, “Sperm are strong swimmers and may reach the fallopian tubes within 2 minutes after intercourse. No additional action is needed.”
For Men: Avoid Excess Heat
If you enjoy hot baths or saunas after exercise, consider pausing these activities while trying to conceive.
“The testes are several degrees cooler than the rest of the body, which is ideal for sperm production. Higher temperatures may affect sperm count,” Dr. Eisenberg explained.
Long hot baths,
frequent sauna use,
or placing a laptop on the lap
may raise testicular temperature and temporarily reduce sperm production.
On the question of boxers versus briefs, Eisenberg gave a clear answer: “It does not make much difference. Wear what feels comfortable.”
For Women: Maintain a Healthy Weight
Dr. McLennan noted that women who are overweight are more likely to have irregular periods or anovulation. Even modest weight loss may improve the chance of conception and reduce pregnancy risks.
Being underweight can also affect fertility and is associated with:
Irregular periods,
preterm birth after conception, and
low birth weight,
all of which warrant attention.
For Both Partners: Review Medications Carefully
If you are trying to conceive, review all medications with your doctor to ensure they do not affect conception or fetal health:
Men taking testosterone supplements may need to stop them.
Women should take particular care with medications for thyroid disease, epilepsy, or psychiatric conditions and with hormonal medications containing estrogen or progesterone.
Some people worry that long-term use of birth control pills affects fertility, but this is generally not a concern. Dr. Pollack said, “Regardless of how many years you have taken the pill, you can become pregnant as soon as your body returns to its usual cycle after stopping.”
Now is also the time to begin taking folic acid. Dr. McLennan emphasized, “Daily folic acid helps prevent fetal neural tube defects and may also support conception.”
Final Note
Conception is not a sprint. It is an ongoing partnership with your body, mindset, and lifestyle. Evidence-based preconception preparation can begin today.
Story source:
Collected online