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| Fertility Tips |
| If you’ve having trouble conceiving, there are a number of things you can do on your own to increase your chances of conception, without fertility drugs or their side effects: |
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| a. |
Maintain a healthy weight. Women and men who are obese often have a hormone imbalance that mitigates their fertility. Obese men often have low sperm counts. In addition, women and men who are extremely thin often have hormone issues, too. In fact, women who are ultra-thin can stop ovulating altogether due to a sharp decrease in estrogen levels. |
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| b. |
Know your cycle well. This is perhaps the most important thing a woman can do in her attempt for conceiving. Most women are most fertile the five days before ovulation and the 24 hours after the egg has been released. It’s important to learn to identify ovulation by taking your temperature, checking your cervical mucus for viscosity, and being alert to pain that is often indicative of ovulation. |
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| c. |
Don’t smoke. Men who smoke typically have lower sperm counts (male factor infertility) than their non-smoking counterparts. Female smokers often produce fewer viable eggs, and women who are heavy smokers can even experience the early onset of menopause. |
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| d. |
Limit the caffeine. Too much caffeine can cause fertility problems in men and women. Both sexes should limit their caffeine intake to two cups of coffee or tea a day. For men, caffeine can decrease the sperm count, increase the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities, and decrease the sperm motility. For women, too much caffeine can create negative issues with the fallopian tubes. In addition to coffee, tea, colas and some other soft drinks, caffeine can also be found in chocolate, cocoa, and in some over-the-counter medications. Try to drink water, fruit juices, or skim milk instead. |
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| e. |
Limit alcohol intake. Can a man’s sperms be affected by alcohol consumption? Yes, they can. Alcohol enters the "productive region" through the bloodstream and can have a negative impact on the quality and on the quantity of the sperms. The sperms of alcoholics often appear deformed, especially in the tail, which can interfere with their ability to swim efficiently. Interestingly, alcohol also decreases the production of much-needed testosterone. |
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| f. |
Exercise - but in moderation. Mild to moderate daily exercise will help keep your blood pumping and your reproductive system healthy. Twenty minutes a day of brisk walking, dancing, swimming, or aerobics should suffice. Men should avoid getting overheated while exercising. |
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| g. |
Eat right. Avoid fast foods, fried foods, and processed foods. Replace them with healthy fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and lean meats, skinless poultry, and fish. Get plenty of fiber each day, and replace bad fats with good fats like olive oil. |
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| h. |
Don’t stress. Stop fretting about getting pregnant and just enjoy the experience. A relaxed couple will usually conceive more quickly than a stressed-out couple. Haven’t you heard about couples who try and try to conceive, with no luck? When they finally give up and stop working at it so hard, they wind up pregnant! |
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| i. |
Protect those sperms. Over the years, researchers have investigated whether everyday exposures -- to such things as tight underwear, heated car seats, laptop computers, or cell phones -- may impair male fertility. Be aware. |
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| j. |
Wake-up relations. Sperm counts tend to be highest first thing in the morning, so this is the best time to have intercourse if you’re trying to get pregnant. Both partners will be more relaxed in the mornings, before they’ve endured the stress of a day’s work. Tooth brushing is optional – it has no effect on fertility rates. |
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| k. |
Think zinc. This trace mineral is found in small amounts everywhere in the human body, and it’s essential for a healthy sperm count, a healthy testosterone level, and a healthy prostate. It also increases the sperms motility, so they’ll be able to reach their goal. Zinc can be taken as a supplement, and it’s often part of a multi-vitamin and mineral combination. Good natural sources of zinc include beef, pork, lamb, turkey, crabmeat, salmon, chicken, oysters, and lobster. 30mg twice a day is appropriate amount. |
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