With each passing year, motherhood is increasingly put in second or even third place in couples’ lives. The priorities of a couple are often not focused on growing their family, but rather on professional growth, improving skills in their chosen area, traveling, and everything else that comes with a comfortable lifestyle. But eventually, the biological clock’s alarm goes off and the desire to have a baby arises, and the idea that everything will happen quickly can end up being a huge disappointment, as it often doesn’t go as planned. Want to get pregnant? Let’s understand some points that may be hindering a couple’s chances, and also share tips to improve fertility.

Does Anxiety Hinder Conception?

Anxiety is a feeling that affects all areas of our lives, and it’s no different when it comes to motherhood. We know that when we want something, it’s inevitable to feel anxious for it to happen quickly, but it’s important to note that this feeling doesn’t just affect your mind; it also affects your body, preventing it from working as it should. But isn’t anxiety a psychological factor, you might ask? The answer is no, because it triggers physical changes and can even disrupt hormone levels.

In women, anxiety can increase the production of a specific hormone known as epinephrine, which slows down the body and makes conception more difficult. Another hormone triggered by anxiety is oxytocin, which causes small uterine contractions and can prevent the fertilized egg from implanting.

But anxiety doesn’t just get in the way for women when it comes to getting pregnant. Men can also struggle with anxiety and the pressure of helping their partner conceive, which can affect the couple’s fertility. Anxiety directly affects libido and leads to hormonal imbalances that cause erectile dysfunction and even changes in ejaculation. That’s why, based on expert studies, we can say that anxiety isn’t just a psychological factor, but one that can directly—and powerfully—affect a couple’s physical functioning.

How to Manage Anxiety Without Hindering Conception

Anxiety can feel uncontrollable; for those experiencing it, it’s easy to say, “It’s easy to talk if you’re not living it,” but believe me, it is possible to manage this feeling so it doesn’t get in the way of your plans or their fulfillment. A few tips are particularly valuable for couples trying to conceive. Here are some:

Have Tests That Assess Your Fertility

The first step for anyone wanting to get pregnant is to see your gynecologist, preferably one specializing in obstetrics, who will follow you when you start prenatal care. By expressing your desire to become pregnant, simple blood tests and even ultrasounds will be ordered to assess your reproductive system. You may also be advised to start taking folic acid as part of preparing for pregnancy.

Having the tests done and being under medical supervision to find out what may be happening or preventing pregnancy is the best way to relieve anxiety and be reassured that everything is alright, or if not, that a treatment plan is needed. Knowing what’s happening is the best way to find peace of mind. After a year of unsuccessful attempts, the doctor may order tests to assess the man as well and then proceed with any necessary treatment.

Learn About Your Cycle

There’s no better way to help a pregnancy happen than by becoming self-aware of your body and how your cycle works. At first, it might seem complicated and almost impossible to understand everything about your cycle, but believe me, it’s just a matter of practice and also modern help, like a cell phone app such as the Paula App which tells you your full cycle, including your fertile window and the best time to try.

In addition to the app, not just knowing but confirming that you’re ovulating is ideal for boosting conception chances during that cycle. To confirm ovulation, we recommend using ovulation tests like those from the Famivita brand, which, thanks to their high sensitivity, can detect when ovulation is near, happening, or already over. You can buy your ovulation test here in our online store.

Have a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet isn’t just for keeping your weight or staying in shape; it’s essential for your body to function perfectly, and that includes fertility. Few know, but diet directly influences hormone production, ovulation, and for men, sperm production and their quality as well.

Swap out ready-made snacks, fast food, chips and cookies for foods that are nutritious and rich in vitamins and minerals that will help and boost your fertility. Choose a diet high in B-complex vitamins, zinc, and especially vitamin E, which are essential for your hormonal system to work properly. Let’s not forget the importance of folic acid, not only during pregnancy, but also before, as soon as you decide to conceive. Folic acid is vital for uterine preparation and, during pregnancy, helps ensure healthy embryo development and prevents problems with the baby’s neural tube development.

If you have a hectic routine that keeps you from following a healthy, balanced diet, you can get these important fertility vitamins through appropriate vitamin supplements, such as FamiFerti for women. In addition to providing the necessary vitamins for your body to function optimally, it helps enhance ovulation and strengthens the uterus and endometrium, creating a healthy environment for a baby to grow. You can purchase it here in our online store.

Men can also boost fertility with supplements such as ViriFerti. Rich in vitamins C and E and folic acid, they help combat free radicals that are one of the main causes of male infertility. It strengthens sperm and seminal production, improving their motility, and also strengthens DNA to make conception easier. Get your men’s vitamin here at our online store.

Have Sex on Fertile Days

Knowing your menstrual cycle well, getting adequate medical supervision, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and even using fertility-boosting vitamins, now it’s time to put everything into practice with intimacy. Knowing your fertile window means you’ll know the best days for sexual intercourse. If possible, start two days before your fertile period begins and try every other day to maximize your chances.

A tip is to use fertility-friendly gels lubricants such as FamiGel. Not only does it increase vaginal lubrication for more pleasure, but it also mimics fertile cervical mucus, providing a more favorable environment for sperm to survive longer and more easily reach the egg. Buy your lubricating gel here in our online store.

Another tip—or rather, a trick among those trying to conceive—is how to position yourself right after sexual intercourse. If you lie on your back for about 15 minutes after intercourse with your belly up, and if possible, with your hips elevated (you can use a pillow for this), it’s thought that sperm remain at the entrance to the uterus longer, helping them reach the egg more easily. Put these tips and tricks into practice, enjoy intimacy, and be happy—your positive test will come soon!

Photo: Engin_Akyurt