Female Fertility

Medical research and development have provided women with useful ways to improve their chances of starting a family by enhancing female fertility.

Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy as it can cause congenital disabilities. With this in mind, it is wise to either stop drinking or keep well below the weekly recommended limit of 14 units while trying to conceive.

Smoking constricts blood vessels, which reduces nutrient intake and can affect ovarian function. Try to cut down or stop altogether. See smoking cessation to help you stop.

Weight can cause a hormonal imbalance, which can lower fertility. Gradually introduce more healthy foods into your diet and control your sugar, salt, fat, and caffeine intake. Take a supplement of folic acid, either on its own or as part of a multi-vitamin supplement formula suited to conception and pregnancy. See our selection of prenatal and postnatal supplements.

Fitness will help your body better prepare for conception and support a healthy pregnancy. Take some gentle exercise such as yoga, walking or gentle swimming.

STIs, if left untreated, such as chlamydia, can cause infertility in both partners. You may not even know that you are infected, as the symptoms can be similar to those of cystitis. Indeed, some women suffer no symptoms at all. Carrying out a chlamydia test at this stage can help ensure you and your partner are not infected, and if the test is positive, you can seek treatment as soon as possible.

Rubella may have been immunised against when you were younger, but you can have your immunity checked with a blood test before you plan to conceive.