Do Prenatal Vitamins Help with Fertility?
By Erica Jeung, Certified Sports Nutritionist and Principal at BumpVitamins.com
Getting started or having trouble on your way?
Suppose you and your partner are interested in getting pregnant or have already started the process and are experiencing issues with fertility. In that case, you are probably wondering what steps you can take to increase fertility.
Many factors play a role in fertility, such as age, genetics, weight, environment, and what we put into our bodies. But, unfortunately, we can’t control our age or our genetics. So let’s discuss the things that we can control and how you and your partner can make the best choices to increase fertility and make some babies!
Regulators!
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands and organs that regulate several processes in the body. For example, the endocrine system controls metabolism, growth, sexual function, reproduction, stress regulation, sleep, and mood. In simple terms, the endocrine system is a hormone factory. The endocrine system relies on hormones to send messages to other parts of the body. As a result, hormones play a critical role in regulating fertility in the body.
Our environment and the choices we make every day can have an incredible effect on our hormone levels, both for better and worse. Living a healthy lifestyle or an unhealthy lifestyle can directly impact your hormone levels and the overall health of your endocrine system.
Many chemicals have also been linked to altering the endocrine system. Everyday products like makeup, cleaners, low-quality supplements, manufactured goods, and pesticides contain many chemicals. Ever wonder why BPA-free or paraben-free is a thing? It’s because BPA and parabens may disrupt the endocrine system and create issues with fertility in those exposed.
In the modern world, we are surrounded by chemicals. Chemicals or pollutants are in the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, or even in your furniture or the walls of your house. Any one of these factors may not have a significant impact on its own, but all these little things combined can have a tremendous impact on your hormone health.
Not all chemicals are harmful, and it is unrealistic to think that you could eliminate all chemical exposure in your life. But, take a careful look around and see if there are any obvious risks that you may not have noticed before or some small steps that you can take to offset or reduce your exposure to potential toxins.
Same old story
Overall, health and nutrition play an equally, if not bigger, role in fertility and overall endocrine system health. You should exercise at least five times a week for 30 minutes at the minimum.
So I recommend five times a week for 1-hour, or seven days a week for at least 30 minutes.
The other major component to health is ingesting the proper nutrients. Antioxidants fight free radicals, and free radicals are a culprit in the infertility game. Obesity has also been linked to issues with fertility, so cut out fried foods and high sugar items and focus on eating lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats in the appropriate amount for your activity level, age, and size.
A little help from a friend?
Many pills are advertised as fertility supplements: magic pills that will increase fertility and bless you with a baby. Many of these supplements have unsubstantiated claims and might not even have the vitamins and herbs advertised in the pill.
It’s a scary world out there, so to be sure you are really getting the help you need, take only high-quality supplements in safe amounts. Don’t know where to look? Bump Vitamins has you covered there. Bump uses only high-quality, GMP-certified ingredients in all our products. On top of that, every order is verified and filled by licensed pharmacists to ensure the amounts and dosages are 100% accurate.
Bump also makes a vitamin pack specified for women who want to enhance their fertility. The Fertility Foundation pack includes the Everyday Multi, Omega-3, CalMag + Vit D&K, Vitamin D3, and Cranberry. These supplements are chosen for their ability to work together and support mutual nutrient absorption.
The goal of any vitamin routine designed to increase fertility is twofold. First, to provide the nutrition necessary to promote healthy bodily function so that the body can support a healthy pregnancy. And second, to make sure nutrients critical to a newly conceived baby are readily available. Some nutrients, like folate (folic acid) or DHA, must be present in the mother’s body in the very early days of pregnancy (literally in the first couple of days after conception). Otherwise, the chances for birth defects like Neural Tube Defects, Spina Bifida, or Cleft Palate, or Cleft Lip increase dramatically.
The rundown
It can be a bit overwhelming hearing that nearly everything we come into contact with daily can negatively affect your endocrine system and thus your hormone levels and chances of getting pregnant.
It might also be alarming to hear that fertility rates are dropping in the US and sperm counts. Yikes. Is it even possible to get pregnant these days?! The answer is yes. My kids are living proof that babies can be made on the first try with good health, proper nutrition, high-quality supplements, good timing, and a little bit of luck. Yes, folks, that’s right. My partner and I had both of our children with just one attempt each. I can’t promise you similar results, but I can assure you that it certainly won’t hurt your chances of getting pregnant if you do these things.
Finally, I will leave you with this; eat healthy, exercise, reduce stress, cut down on caffeine, quit smoking, get fresh air, get rid of toxic chemicals, use natural cleaning products and herbicides, use natural makeup, add some plants to your house or an air purifier, know your ovulation cycle, and take your vitamins!
