11 things to try to do before turning to assisted reproduction

If you have been trying to have a baby for several months, you are led to think that assisted reproduction is the only solution to becoming parents.

Although IVF, IUI, ICSI etc. can help you get pregnant, they often need more than one cycle to make you have the desired pregnancy: all this can be burdensome not only from an economic point of view but also from an emotional one.

Experts suggest putting the following tips into practice before resorting to a fertility clinic:

1. 1. Table of Contents

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      Check the fertility of the companion.

      Almost 50% of infertility cases are attributable to men although males generally tend to underestimate it.
      According to a recent study published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction, men are unable to identify more than half of the risk factors that can affect their fertility.
      If pregnancy does not arrive, the man should undergo a semen analysis. Semen analysis will reveal not only sperm count, but also sperm volume, motility (movement), and shape.

   2. Consult your gynaecologist

      It is important to rule out medical conditions that can prevent pregnancy such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the presence of uterine fibroids, endometriosis and estrogenic dominance, a common condition among women seeking pregnancy. If all this is normal, the cycles are regular, ovulation is there and the spermiogram is fine, it may be necessary to control the patency of the tubes through hysterosalpingography, which identifies abnormalities in the uterine cavity, such as polyps or fibroids and allows you to see if the fallopian tubes are open. Some studies show that this diagnostic test can even slightly increase fertility in the three months following the procedure. In some cases your doctor may also prescribe a medication such as clomid to stimulate ovulation.

   3. Taking supplements

      You already know that if you are trying to get pregnant you should adopt a healthy diet, exercise moderately and regularly, lose excess weight, stop smoking and limit alcohol. It is also recommended to take prenatal vitamins that contain 400 micrograms of folic acid each day to prevent neural tube defects, which can develop in the first few days after conception, before you even see a positive pregnancy test. Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 also improves fertility.

   4. Monitor your menstrual cycle

      Knowing your menstrual cycles allows you to understand when you ovulate and therefore to target your relationships correctly. To know your body and its rhythms it is very important to observe yourself. Ovulation is accompanied by very specific symptoms that can be seen (cervical mucus), felt (pain in the ovaries) or measured (basal temperature). On this site we have a very close-knit group of women who use the basal temperature method and a support service to help you become familiar with this method.

   5. Have intercourse every other day.

      It is often thought that the more relationships you have, the higher the probability of being able to have a child. It is not necessarily true, on the contrary! Expert advice is to have intercourse every other day during your fertile window.

   6. Let it run

      When it comes to conceiving a child, the bond that binds you to your partner and the emotional relationship you have with him is very important. If you have unresolved problems, if you feel resentment for something that happened with your partner or with others, if you feel fear, anger or resentment, all of this could affect your ability to get pregnant. Even if you and your partner crave a baby it is important that your relationship is balanced.

   7. Change the power supply

      Women with hormonal problems, with estrogen dominance problems, with fibroids, etc. could evaluate, in agreement with the nutritionist, a plant-based diet. Hormones found in meat and dairy products can be directly related to fibroids and other hormonal problems. However, there is evidence that fertility can be improved by a classic Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
      Discover our book Fertility recipes with lots of useful tips and recipes to improve your fertility and your general well-being

   8. Use a sperm-friendly lubricant

      A lubricant can make intercourse more comfortable, but read the labels carefully because some lubricants can affect sperm motility and affect the likelihood of pregnancy as highlighted by a study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility. So there are those who could help conception and others who could prevent it. When buying a lubricant, ask your pharmacist for advice.

   9. Reduce or eliminate coffee.

      Try both to reduce or eliminate the use of coffee. Not only caffeine but other substances contained in coffee can reduce fertility

   10. Eliminate stress

       Infertility problems are stressful. There are studies that confirm that stress can affect the ability to conceive, other studies deny this theory. When in doubt, it is better to try to relax with the various means that are available, from yoga to meditation or even simply resting more and dedicating quality time by committing yourself to something you like.

   11. Bring patience

       Once you’ve ruled out any problems that can prevent pregnancy, keep trying, but always trying to keep yourself relaxed. Occasionally. If all clinical parameters are in place, it is only a matter of time. However, do not let too much time pass, because age is an important parameter for the success of assisted reproduction treatments.