Trying to conceive can be an exciting and emotional journey for many couples. However, it can also be a stressful and frustrating experience if you are not able to conceive as quickly as you had hoped.
While there are many factors that can affect your ability to get pregnant, there are also some things that you should avoid if you are trying to conceive.
Don’t Smoke
Smoking is not only bad for your overall health, but it can also have a negative impact on your fertility. Smoking can cause damage to your eggs and sperm, as well as your reproductive organs.
It can also increase your risk of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is important to quit smoking as soon as possible.
Don’t Drink Excessively
While the occasional glass of wine or beer may not have a significant impact on your fertility, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on your ability to conceive. Drinking alcohol can lower sperm count and motility in men, and it can disrupt ovulation in women.
Alcohol can also increase the risk of miscarriage and congenital disabilities. Therefore, couples should avoid alcohol if they are trying to conceive.
Don’t Use Recreational Drugs
Recreational drugs (as well as some prescription drugs) can have a negative impact on your fertility. Some drugs can cause damage to your eggs and sperm, as well as your reproductive organs. They can also affect your hormones and your ovulation cycle.
Always consult with your doctor about any prescription drugs that you are taking—do not stop taking prescribed medications without approval from your doctor.
Don’t Stress Too Much
Stress can have a negative impact on your fertility by disrupting your hormonal balance and affecting your ovulation cycle. Practice healthy ways of coping with stress, such as creative art, journaling, progressive muscle relaxation, exercise, or meditation.
And if you are struggling with overwhelming stress, anxiety, or depression, consider getting help from a therapist or mental health professional.
Don’t Overdo Exercise
Physical activity is a key part of maintaining your overall health and well-being, but excessive exercise can potentially have a negative impact on your fertility. Intense exercise can disrupt your hormonal balance and affect your ovulation cycle. It can also reduce your body fat levels to a point where it can affect your ability to conceive.
When trying to conceive, you may need to limit your exercise routine and talk to your doctor about what types of exercise are safe for you.
Don’t Wait Too Long To Seek Help
If you have been trying to conceive for a year or more without success, it may be time to seek help from a fertility specialist. There are many treatments available that can help you to conceive, such as fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Reach out for help sooner rather than later, as fertility treatments are more effective when started early.