Fertility Answers - Helping Build Families

Lifestyle Factors and Fertility

Lifestyle factors can have a dramatic influence on fertility

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