Fertility Answers - Helping Build Families

Lifestyle Factors and Fertility

Lifestyle factors can have a dramatic influence on fertility

That old saying “you are what you eat” has a lot of truth to it. Things we put in and on our bodies can influence so much of our health. And these lifestyle choices can also influence our fertility. Making better choices today can lead to improved fertility tomorrow.

To achieve the maximal chance of conceiving, especially as the treatment becomes more complex (such as with IVF), it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. Some supplements have been shown to improve fertility in both males and females.

Fertility Enhancing Lifestyle Factors for Women

  • Lose Weight – Your chances of having a baby drops dramatically with a BMI (body-mass index) of less than 35. On the flip-side, your chance of having a stillbirth is 2-fold higher and your chance of prematurity (<32 weeks) increases by 50% with a BMI greater than 35
  • Stop Smoking
  • Limit caffeine intake to 1 cup of decaf coffee or tea during the time trying to conceive
  • No alcohol during the treatment cycles
  • Healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, less red meat, and no trans fats (doughnuts, fried foods, etc.)

Supplements Ideal for Women Seeking Improved Fertility

  • DHEA: Usually for patients over 35 years old, about 75 mg daily may improve egg quality
  • Omega 3 fatty acids: 500-1000 mg daily
  • Folic Acid: 400 mcg daily
  • Vitamin C: 500 mg daily
  • Co-Enzyme Q 10: 600 mg daily – stop this once you are pregnant

Fertility Enhancing Lifestyle Factors for Men

  • No tobacco products (smokeless tobacco included)
  • Eliminate marijuana use
  • Limit caffeine intake to 3 cups of coffee or less (sperm are less sensitive to caffeine than eggs)
  • Minimize or eliminate alcohol (No more than 1-2 per week)
  • Healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, less red meat, and no trans fats (doughnuts, fried foods, etc.)

Supplements Ideal for Men Seeking to Improve Fertility

It takes testicles 3 months to produce mature sperm so it’s important to take them for at least 2-3 months prior to seeing the maximal benefit. Some supplements can increase sperm quality as well as circulating testosterone level when taken for 2 months.

  • Vitamin E: 1000 u daily
  • Vitamin C: 1000 mg daily
  • Co-Enzyme Q: 200 mg twice daily
  • Omega 3: 1000-1500 mg daily
  • Zinc: 30 mg daily