At Fertility First, we believe in giving nature a chance. It’s important to us that we avoid adding to your stress by suggesting unnecessary invasive tests or procedures. Instead, all our recommendations are centred around ensuring you feel supported and empowered to make the fertility choices that feel right to you.
With a holistic and individualised approach at our Sydney fertility clinic, we take into consideration any lifestyle and environmental factors that may be affecting your fertility, and work with you to improve your natural fertility without invasive treatment.
In some cases, simply making a few positive lifestyle changes and sticking to them can be enough to get you that double line on a pregnancy test.
When undergoing fertility treatment, it can be a stressful and emotional journey. It is essential to look after yourself by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle to ensure you’re giving your body the best chance to produce healthy eggs and healthy sperm.
Studies have previously shown the benefits of specific vitamins and minerals in egg quality, sperm quality, quantity and morphology, and the positive impact a healthy diet can have when trying to improve fertility and achieve a healthy pregnancy. Among others, these nutrients include zinc, folate, omega-3 oils, vitamins C, D, B12, and E, choline, calcium, and selenium.
Research has shown that excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption can have a detrimental effect on both male and female fertility. Too much of these substances contributes to poor sperm concentration, motility, and morphology, as well as reduced egg quality. Monitoring your caffeine and alcohol intake is especially important for women looking to conceive, as they can also impact the health of your pregnancy once you do fall pregnant.
It is widely known that smoking and recreational drugs can decrease fertility rates for both men and women. In addition to contributing to difficulties conceiving, research also tells us that smoking has an adverse effect on IVF outcomes, embryo development, fertilisation rates, and the risk of miscarriage.
Part of your preliminary fertility testing will involve our fertility specialists reviewing your current medications and any herbal or nutritional supplements you may take regularly. Although you may be taking these medications and supplements to relieve or treat a genuine health concern, there is the potential for them to affect your natural fertility and ability to successfully conceive. Where possible, we may suggest you discuss with your prescribing doctor about an alternative medication or recommend ceasing certain herbal or nutritional supplements.
We know that elevated temperature of the scrotum (containing the testicles) in men has an adverse effect on sperm. Research out of Harvard University has also revealed that tight-fitting underwear has the potential to raise scrotal temperature enough to impact sperm health and male fertility.
High levels of chemical and heavy metal exposure, including lead, pesticides, and organic solvents, can be detrimental to sperm quality and may increase the risk of pregnancy loss through DNA fragmentation. To improve your natural fertility, we recommend minimising your exposure in the workplace or around your home, and considering the Halosperm assay to evaluate your sperm for DNA damage if this is a concern.
Yes, chronic stress can impact fertility by disrupting hormonal balance and ovulation patterns. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices may help optimise your chances of conception. Consider speaking with a counsellor if stress feels overwhelming.
Sperm health accounts for about 40% of conception challenges. Your partner can improve sperm health by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding excessive heat exposure (hot tubs, saunas, tight clothing), limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, managing stress, and taking a multivitamin with antioxidants. Sperm takes about 3 months to develop, so lifestyle changes need time to show results.
Your fertile window typically spans 5-6 days, ending on ovulation day. For a regular 28-day cycle, this usually falls between days 10-15, with peak fertility 1-2 days before ovulation. Track your cycle using ovulation predictor kits, basal body temperature, or cervical mucus changes to identify your unique pattern. Having intercourse every 1-2 days during this window optimises your chances.
