If you are embarking on a fertility journey, whether it be trying naturally or undergoing assisted conception, it goes without saying that you would want to enhance your fertility and create for yourself the best chances of success. This involves taking a whole body view – lifestyle, stress, and nutrition.
Some "What Not To Do's"
Firstly, let's look at some of the things you may have tried but which I'd recommend you don't do when trying to conceive.
Don't:
- Think that what worked for "Becky" will work for you.
- Take lots of low-quality supplements.
- Try one random diet after another.
- Blame the diets and supplements for not working.
- Ignore your nutrition altogether.
- Try to do "everything".
- Blame "everything" for not working.
- Try to do it alone.
A Holistic Approach is Best
Your fertility is not an isolated aspect of your being. Just as with every other system – digestive, respiratory, circulatory – the reproductive system does not exist on its own.
Your nutrition, gut health, hormone balance, lifestyle, stress levels, toxin exposure, physical activity levels (or lack of), to name a few, all play a part in the overall functionality of your reproductive system and the health of your egg and sperm cells.
Fertility is complex and needs to be looked at on an individual level, but there are some guidelines that are pretty universal and will benefit most, if not everyone.
Six Actions We Can All Manage:
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Cut out the junk - Prioritize your nutrition and take out the junk. Avoid the main culprits – sugar, wheat, processed foods. As a good rule of thumb, anything that you couldn't make in your own kitchen or that has gone through many steps since it was either growing in the ground or running around is to be avoided.
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Avoid hormone disruptors - Plastics, household chemicals, gardening chemicals, artificial preservatives, and flavorings are around us all the time. Our bodies aren't really able to deal with these. Plastics, in particular, are responsible for having an estrogenic effect and disrupting our hormone balance. Avoid plastic food containers, plastic drinks bottles, cling film. And definitely don't microwave food in these sorts of materials – transfer to a pot dish if possible.
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Check your supplements - There are so many supplements out there that it is easy to get overwhelmed. Make sure you know how much active ingredient you need and in which form it should be in to be best absorbed by your body. For example, make sure your supplement contains "methylfolate" rather than "folic acid" – folic acid is a synthetic form of methylfolate and not as bioavailable. Make sure to include a good Vitamin D supplement too. Check with your doctor before starting a supplement regime.
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Keep your blood sugar steady - When your blood sugar and insulin levels are constantly spiking and falling (don't we all like a bit of sweet stuff!) there is a knock-on effect on other aspects of your body's chemistry – brain, gut, inflammation levels, immune system, egg/sperm quality. Try to avoid sugar (including refined, smoothies, fruit juices) and include some protein and healthy fats in every meal.
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Lower your stress levels - the body is better for activity, the mind is better for rest. How often do we get this the wrong way around? Are you running on caffeine to get through the day? Are you so stressed that your stress hormones are through the roof? Are you training too hard at the gym or running too many miles? Or are you sitting on your proverbial all day?
- And, of course, number 6…. Try acupuncture.
Many people nowadays are becoming increasingly aware of acupuncture as a therapy option and it is becoming more widely acceptable. Most of us are aware of the benefits of acupuncture with regards to relieving stress and reducing pain but are maybe less familiar with it in the context of fertility support.
Described in terms of Western medicine, there are several ways that acupuncture has been shown to aid natural conception and to boost the effectiveness of fertility treatment:
- Stress relief
- Improved blood flow
- Hormone balancing
Studies show that acupuncture is proven to drive blood flow to the reproductive organs leading to healthier follicles and sperm, supports healthy ovulation, supports IVF and IUI outcomes, balances hormones, and reduces rates of miscarriage. It is generally advised to start having acupuncture 3 months before trying to conceive but, in my opinion, it's never too late to start!
How I Can Help
As someone who has been supporting individuals on their fertility journeys for the past twelve years, I have developed valuable resources and treatments. If you are considering acupuncture for fertility, I recommend seeking out a registered acupuncturist from reputable associations such as the British Acupuncture Association (BAA) or the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). These professionals have undergone comprehensive training and may be covered by private health insurers.
Remember, enhancing fertility requires a holistic approach that considers various factors. By implementing these six actionable steps, you can improve your chances of achieving your fertility goals.
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us on hello@mydaolabs.com.
Eileen Mannion has a passion for helping people overcome a wide variety of health issues, often things that they have become resigned to living with, and particular expertise in treating women's health with acupuncture and nutritional advice. Living and practicing in West Yorkshire, Eileen studied at Masters level and graduated from the Northern College of Acupuncture in York, and is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (BAcC). You can learn more about Eileen at acupuncture-huddersfield.co.uk.
