Ask A Gynecologist: 'Ways To Boost Fertility Naturally'- Essence

For starters, fast food isn't helping. Dr. Shepard breaks down what you can do at home to help with natural conception.

Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD Aug, 28, 2017

Finally, we’re bringing you very public answers to some of your most private questions. When sexual and vaginal health concerns arise, OB/GYN and nationally known women’s health expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd wants to ensure you have the answers you need to feel at ease. As the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women’s health forum, she uses this outlet to focus on addressing taboo topics in a comfortable setting. Prepare to take notes!

Q: What are the natural ways to boost my chances of getting pregnant?

A: There are many ways to naturally boost your fertility. As we know, obesity does have a direct link to fertility, and your ability to conceive. Always being in optimal health and reducing weight as much as possible will reduce possible fertility issues that may come with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Shedding pounds will also decrease inflammation within the body, which can help increase a woman’s chances of pregnancy.

Along with losing weight or being in optimal health, you also want to ensure that you eat foods that help keep your system clean, like green, leafy vegetables. Not that you have to eliminate it, but decreasing your red meat intake will be a big help in seeing a boost. Staying away from inflammatory foods that are of high glycemic index like your white flour, white sugar, your processed foods, fast foods, etc, is also a good idea. Increased inflammation within your body can sometimes create difficulties with conception.

Another thing to help boost fertility is to make sure you have a complete conversation with your gynecologist by the age of 35. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have a baby right then, but you have to have a discussion so that you have a plan. It’s all about having the plan so that you are prepared. You should have some type of knowledge about what comes with what age you’re at and where you are in your journey. That conversation is an important component in order to boost your fertility naturally because you’re engaging with the education of your body in order to get the results you want.

As always, the best way to find out how you can naturally boost your fertility is to make sure that you go for an annual with your gynecologist every year if you are trying to conceive.