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Natural Fertility Treatment

Though fertility drugs exist, you may be searching for a natural alternative to help regulate your cycle and increase your chances for conception. In addition to several vitamins and herbs that help increase fertility---both in men and women---some lifestyle changes may help. Understanding these aids and how to incorporate them into your routine is the first step toward naturally taking charge of your fertility.

  1. Supplements

    • To help increase fertility naturally, consider adding supplements and vitamins to your diet. One major cause of fertility problems is a shortened luteal phase, the time immediately following ovulation until your next menstrual period. Ideally, this phase should last from 10 to 14 days; however, lowered progesterone levels may shorten this phase, which could result in infertility. A fertilized egg simply won't have time to implant if the luteal phase is too short. Marilyn Shannon, author of "Fertility, Cycles and Nutrition," recommends adding 200 to 600mg of Vitamin B6 to your diet to help lengthen your luteal phase and increase the chances of implantation. Vitamin B6 may also help with troublesome PMS symptoms.

      Men should take Vitamin C and eat antioxidant-rich foods, such as beans, blueberries and strawberries, to help prevent sperm defects and improve sperm mobility. Shannon says adding Vitamin C to your partner's diet could significantly improve sperm quantity, morphology and motility. For infertile men, zinc---about 50mg a day---may increase sperm count and testosterone levels.

    Herbs

    • Consistently taking herbs may help increase your fertility naturally. Chasteberry---also called Vitex---helps to lengthen the luteal phase and lower levels of prolactin. Take chasteberry from menstruation to ovulation, and allow several months for it to take effect.

      The fertility herb Dong Quai, used to help with menstrual problems, can help balance your estrogen levels and increase your chances of implantation.

      Finally, consider adding evening primrose oil into your fertility routine. According to the Fertility Shop, evening primrose oil increases the production and quality of your cervical mucus, which will help the sperm swim to the egg. Only take evening primrose oil from menstruation to ovulation, because it may cause uterine contractions, which could negatively affect a newly fertilized egg. Take 1,500 to 2,000mg a day.

    Other Lifestyle Changes

    • Other lifestyle changes may help you achieve fertility success naturally. Eliminating caffeine may increase your chances of conceiving. Shannon cites a 1988 study in which women who consumed one or more cups of coffee took significantly longer to conceive than those who drank less.

      Try complete night darkness. Nerve impulses from the eye's light receptors affect hormones, including those that aid in fertility. If you experience scant or patchy cervical mucus, prolonged fertile mucus or a short luteal phase, your biological clock may need resetting. A study at the Sacred Heart Medical Center studied the effects of night illumination. The study showed eliminating all forms of light at night can improve mucus patterns, thus improving overall fertility. Improvement should be seen in one to three months.

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