Trying to get pregnant can be an exciting experience, but when it doesn’t happen after several months of trying, it’s natural to wonder what you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant. One of the most common questions we hear from couples who are struggling to conceive is “What helps fertility?” 

Some lifestyle changes may help, and it’s a good idea to talk to fertility specialists about what changes you may need to make. Working with the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health is the best way to be sure you’re doing all you can to help fertility. 

Better Food Choices

One of the first things to focus on that may help problems with fertility is working on reaching a healthy body weight. Being overweight or underweight can disrupt hormones and impact ovulation. Be sure to include nutrient-rich foods in your diet. Foods rich in antioxidants help to deactivate free radicals that can damage both egg and sperm cells. Examples of foods rich in antioxidants include vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. 

Cut back on processed foods and refined carbohydrates such as sugar and white bread. Refined carbohydrates can affect your blood sugar which can impact hormone production.

Work on Getting More Active

It’s also important to be proactive about including exercise in your daily routine. Moderate exercise can be beneficial to both women and men. Try to include 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise such as walking, swimming or riding a bicycle. This can help you cope with stress and can help to balance hormones. If you haven’t been exercising at all, talk to your doctor to find out the best way to increase your activity gradually.

At the opposite extreme, excessive exercise can be a factor in suppressing ovulation. It can be detrimental to fertility if you exercise vigorously more than 5 hours a week.

Things to Avoid

When you’re trying to get pregnant, there are some things that you should avoid. Stress caused by any source can wreak havoc on your body and unfortunately, infertility may make you feel even more stressed. Work on limiting the stress in your life by making time to relax and learning stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.

Avoid toxic chemicals. Toxins may be a hazard at work for some professions such as dry cleaning or printing. Consider what you’re being exposed to at home, such as cleaning products with endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Wear gloves when using strong cleaning products. 

Excessive amounts of alcohol or tobacco can affect fertility in both women and men. There’s some evidence that consuming too much caffeine may also have an impact, so it’s best to avoid excessive caffeine when you’re trying to get pregnant.

At the Center for Reproductive Health, we recognize how stressful it is to be unable to get pregnant. Our dedicated staff can answer any questions you may have about things you can do to help fertility. Let us help you on your journey to pursue a healthy pregnancy. Schedule an appointment today.

When a couple is having difficulty conceiving, both partners need to be evaluated to try to pinpoint the cause of fertility problems. Since problems with male fertility are usually related to sperm production, it’s natural for men to want to know how to check male fertility naturally. Fortunately, there are tests men can take at home that can provide an idea on whether sperm count may be low.

Even if you have a normal sperm count, there may be other reasons you’re having difficulty fathering a child. Couples struggling with fertility should keep in mind that seeing a fertility specialist is a better way to obtain a much more thorough evaluation. Compassionate and knowledgeable experts in the field of assisted reproductive technologies can be found at the Center for Reproductive Health.

What Can You Learn From At-Home Tests?

There are several different types of at-home tests that can test semen samples to evaluate the quality and quantity of sperm. Many men like the idea of an at-home test because they feel more comfortable taking a sperm test in the privacy of their own home. 

The sample is collected by masturbating into a cup or by wearing a special condom that collects semen during intercourse. For best results, avoid ejaculating for two or more days before collecting a sample. Avoid using lubricants and make sure all your semen makes it into the collection cup. 

Some things you may be able to learn from at-home sperm test kits include:

• Total sperm count
• Sperm motility, which refers to how well sperm moves
• Sperm concentration
• Sperm volume
• Sperm morphology or shape

Results from some tests are available in around 45 minutes. Other tests need to be shipped to a lab and typically take two to five days for results. Not all at-home sperm test kits are covered by insurance. If you want to try an at-home sperm test kit, look for one that has been cleared by the FDA, but keep in mind that not all causes of male infertility can be identified by an at-home test kit.

Improving Sperm Count

There are many possible causes of low sperm count. Lifestyle changes may help boost sperm production in some cases. Consume a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean meats along with food high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. There may be a connection between being overweight and having low sperm count, so it’s a good idea to work on attaining a healthy weight.

Regular physical activity is a critical factor in overall health and may have an impact on your sperm count. If you’ve been leading a sedentary lifestyle, talk to your doctor about the best way to become more active. Quit smoking and avoid consuming excessive alcohol. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and work on controlling the amount of stress you’re under.

An at-home sperm test isn’t always reliable and can’t replace the comprehensive fertility evaluation provided by the Center for Reproductive Health. Schedule an appointment today. 

It’s not uncommon for people to delay having children until their 30s or 40s, often because of focusing on a career or not being ready to settle down. If you’ve chose to delay having children, you may not give much thought to the aging process and how it may be affecting your fertility. You may believe you have plenty of time, especially when you see celebrities having children in their late 40s and sometimes even later. Having a child later in life sometimes requires the help of fertility experts, and the older you are, the more likely that you may need treatment for infertility. When does fertility decline? 

Fertility Decline in Women

Women are born with a set number of eggs. Fertility peaks in the late teens and 20s, which is a time many women aren’t ready to consider children for emotional or financial reasons. Fertility, which is the ability to get pregnant, has started a slow decline by age 30. By the mid to late 30s, fertility is declining rapidly. 

Women who try to get pregnant in their mid-30s or 40s may find it’s not as easy as they expected and many women need the help of fertility professionals to conceive, especially if it’s after the age of 35. There’s a decline in egg count and egg quality as women age. The risk of miscarriage or chromosomal abnormalities also increases with age. Because of this decline, women who think they may want to get pregnant later in life may wish to consider freezing their eggs when they’re between 27 and 34.

Fertility Decline in Men

Aging can also be a factor in male fertility. The peak of a man’s fertility is in his mid to late 20s. By age 30, sperm quality is beginning to decline. There’s a significant decrease in semen volume by the age of 45. The aging process in men also affects testosterone levels.

As the levels of this important hormone decline, both sperm quality and sexual function may be impacted. Sperm motility may also be affected, making it more difficult for sperm to successfully reach the egg. Declining sperm quality increases the risk of genetic diseases.

Other Factors That Can Affect Fertility

Age isn’t the only factor that can cause a decline in fertility. Poor lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking heavily and leading a sedentary lifestyle can all have an impact on fertility. Your fertility may also be impacted if you struggle with obesity.

Getting pregnant late in life increases the risk of complications for the mother and the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. Both women and men should keep their decline in fertility in mind if they choose to postpone having children.

The Center for Reproductive Health can help you learn what you can do to be proactive about your reproductive health. The team is available to help if you have questions about freezing eggs or sperm or about the treatment options that are available if you’re trying to get pregnant. Schedule an appointment for a consultation today.

When you feel ready to start a family but find that getting pregnant isn’t happening right away, it’s natural to search for suggestions on how to increase fertility in women. Some reasons for infertility may be beyond your control, but there are some lifestyle changes that may help improve your chances of getting pregnant. The experts at the Center for Reproductive Health can provide comprehensive information on things you can do to improve your chances of attaining a healthy pregnancy.

Strive to Attain a Health Weight

The amount of fat stored in your body can have an impact on hormone levels. If you’re either overweight or underweight, it can affect your menstrual cycle which in turn affects the balance of your hormones. Working toward attaining a healthy weight with diet and exercise can improve menstrual regularity as well as your overall health. If you’re overweight, losing 5 to 10 percent of your current weight can have a positive impact on fertility.

Exercise is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health and a sedentary lifestyle can greatly decrease your chances of getting pregnant. Talk to your doctor to find out what type of exercise would be best for you and how to gradually increase the amount of time you spend exercising. It’s important not to overdo it because over-exercising can also impact fertility.

Consume a Health Diet 

There’s no magic food that will automatically increase your fertility but following healthy diet patterns may help. Some things that should be part of your diet include:

• Fish
• High fiber foods such as whole grains and cereals
• Fresh vegetables and fruits
• Healthy fats such as olive oil
• Legumes, seeds and nuts

Include small amounts of dairy and lean poultry such as chicken or turkey. Limit the amount of foods that are highly processed or loaded with refined flour or sugar. Limit caffeine and avoid alcohol. Including foods rich in antioxidants can help to reduce free radicals that can damage your egg cells. Examples include nuts, berries, kale and cabbage. 

Reduce Stress

The more stress you’re under, the harder it is to get pregnant. Frustration over not getting pregnant can add to your feelings of anxiousness. Infertility is probably not the only stressor you’re dealing with. You may also be trying to manage stress involving your career or family. Whenever stress levels rise, there’s a good chance it may impact your ability to get pregnant.

Learning to better manage stress may have a positive impact on fertility. Make it a point to spend some time relaxing every day. Think about what makes you feel relaxed and do more of it, such as going for a walk in nature, meditating, getting a massage or listening to music.

Work With Fertility Specialists

Before giving up your dream of getting pregnant, it’s a good idea to meet with fertility specialists for more information on how to increase fertility. The team at the Center for Reproductive Health understands the wide range of emotions you may be experiencing. They’re available to answer your questions and provide guidance on methods of increasing fertility. Call today.

Infertility is a more common problem than many people realize. If you and your partner are struggling with infertility, there are many possible causes. In some cases, the problem is with male fertility. Some causes of male fertility problems include hormone levels or the quality or motility of sperm cells. If you and your partner are affected by this, it’s beneficial to learn as much as you can about how to increase male fertility.

While not all causes of male infertility are treatable, in many cases there are ways to be proactive about working toward improving sperm health. 

Healthy Habits for Healthier Sperm

The health of your sperm is often related to your overall health. To help improve your health and the health of your sperm, some things to do include:

• Get active. Regular exercise is an important component of overall health. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day five days a week to help improve your metabolism and your sperm production. If you haven’t been exercising, consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.
• Eat nutritious foods. Trying to get by on fast food or food with little nutritional value can be harmful to the health of your sperm. Be sure to include healthy foods in your diet, especially a variety of fruits and vegetables along with lean proteins such as fish and poultry.
• Get plenty of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body has difficulty recharging, which can impact the production of healthy sperm. Taking care to get enough sleep may help increase male fertility and may help you to better cope with stress.

Your body mass index (BMI) helps to determine if you’re at a healthy weight. If you’re overweight or underweight, it may have a negative impact on sperm count. Work on getting to a healthy weight if you’re not already there.

Things to Avoid

If you’re hoping to increase male fertility, there are some things you need to avoid. One of the biggest ones is smoking because smoking can cause problems such as reduced sperm count, poor sperm motility, and male impotence.

Consuming too much alcohol can also affect the health of your sperm. Cutting down on alcohol consumption or avoiding it altogether may help to improve your ability to conceive a healthy baby. For better sperm quality, other things to avoid include excessive amounts of saturated fats, processed meats, and caffeine.

Sperm health can also be negatively affected by overheating the testicles. It’s a good idea to avoid saunas or hot tubs for optimal sperm health. If you work in a hot environment, try to take regular breaks, and avoid sitting in the same position for long periods of time.

For more tips on increasing male fertility, reach out to the experts at the Center for Reproductive Health. Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable experts in the field of assisted reproductive technologies will help create a treatment plan that gives you the best chance of attaining a successful pregnancy. Schedule a consultation today.

If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant in your 30s, you’re not alone. While some women are still able to conceive in their early 30s, your chances of getting pregnant as you approach 40 declines, and the risk of complications including miscarriage increases. The team of fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health is available to provide detailed information on how to boost fertility in your 30s so you can be proactive about doing whatever you can to attain a healthy pregnancy.

Foods That May Help Increase Fertility

A healthy diet is an important component of overall health. When you’re trying to get pregnant, whether you’re a woman or a man, it’s important to include plenty of natural foods in your diet such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna provide a healthy source of unsaturated fats which support cell growth and can help to lower cholesterol. Limit sugar and saturated fats to help boost fertility. 

Women who are trying to get pregnant should begin taking prenatal vitamins to ensure the consumption of important nutrients. Prenatal vitamins can help to improve egg quality.

Reduce Stress

Being under a lot of stress, especially on a long-term basis, can wreak havoc on your body and make it more difficult to get pregnant. Since stress has been proven to impact fertility, focusing on methods of stress reduction may help boost your fertility. Consider delegating tasks to others if possible. Other ways to reduce stress include:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy
• Massage
• Listening to music

Journaling is a good way to process turbulent emotions, such as frustration over not getting pregnant. Be sure you’re getting enough sleep to help better cope with stress and to help increase fertility. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

Other Healthy Habits

To give yourself the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, work on getting your weight to a healthy range. Women whose body mass index (BMI) is considered too high or too low can have a harder time getting pregnant. Regular exercise can help improve your overall health and can help you work toward improving your BMI. Choose a form of exercise you enjoy such as walking, swimming, or dancing.

If you or your partner smokes, it’s imperative that you quit if you’re hoping to boost fertility in your 30s. Smoking has a negative impact on reproductive health in both women and men. It can make it harder to get pregnant and it increases the risk of complications during pregnancy. 

Excessive amounts of alcohol can interfere with bodily processes and should be avoided when trying to get pregnant. Both alcohol and caffeine can make it more difficult to get pregnant.

When you’re trying to boost fertility in your 30s, reach out to the compassionate fertility professionals at the Center for Reproductive Health. We’re available to answer any questions you may have and are committed to helping you have the best chance of attaining a healthy pregnancy. Click here to make an appointment. 

Many women give little thought about how to maintain good reproductive health, but it’s important to be proactive about taking care of this complex system. Many couples encounter challenges when trying to conceive, and may not realize that unhealthy lifestyle choices can have a negative effect on reproductive health.
The experts at the California Center for Reproductive Health help people learn about what they can do to be proactive about their reproductive health. What do you need to do to take care of your body, including your reproductive system?

Prevent or Treat STDs

Preventive care is an important part of taking care of your reproductive health. Having a regular gynecological examination is the best way to be sure routine screenings are done to ensure early detection of infections and illnesses.
Untreated sexually transmitted diseases can cause permanent damage to your fallopian tubes and uterus. Since STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia may not cause symptoms and are a leading cause of infertility, taking care of your reproductive health means doing whatever you can to prevent contracting them.
Condoms reduce the risk of contracting an infection but don’t offer total protection, so sexual activity should be limited to a committed relationship with a partner who isn’t infected. If you do contract an STD, treatment should be started immediately.

Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Lifestyle choices have a big impact on your overall health, including your reproductive health. One of the first places to look is at the foods you’re consuming. Be sure to include healthy, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains along with protein from lean meats or plant-based protein sources such as quinoa, tofu, or lentils. Limit caffeine and processed foods.
Work on being at a healthy weight since being either underweight or overweight can affect ovulation. It’s important to include physical activity in your life. Exercise can increase your strength and relieve stress, but don’t overdo it since over-exercising may inhibit ovulation.
Smoking is one of the most harmful things you can do to your body. Don’t smoke and if you’re a smoker, make it a priority to quit. Limit your consumption of alcohol or other substances and avoid exposure to toxins. Sleep can have a big impact on your overall health, so also try to get on a regular sleep schedule.
Know your own body and pay attention to signals your body may give you that something isn’t quite right. Talk to your doctor about signs that concern you such as fatigue, loss of appetite, or changes in your menstrual cycle

Reproductive Health and Infertility

Your reproductive health is important, whether you’re trying to get pregnant now or sometime in the future. When you do decide to get pregnant, you may find that getting pregnant isn’t always easy. Infertility is a very common problem, and there are many reasons couples struggle with being unable to conceive. While there are some factors that are beyond your control, there are some things you can do to make sure your reproductive system is as healthy as possible. Contact our office to work with our experts on developing and maintaining good reproductive health today.

The inability to get pregnant can be frustrating and stressful. The good news is that there are more options for treating infertility than ever before using assisted reproductive technology (ART). Options in fertility treatment include medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes. The team at the Center for Reproductive Health provides guidance and support throughout the process of seeking a solution to infertility challenges. So, which fertility treatment is most effective?

Diagnosing the Cause of Infertility

Before recommending options in fertility treatments, it’s important to look into the cause. When a couple is struggling to get pregnant, the cause could be female, male, or the couple together. The first step is a comprehensive evaluation which includes a physical exam, medical history, and bloodwork to identify hormone abnormalities. The health and motility of the sperm are analyzed as well as the health of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

If no issues are found with the sperm or the female reproductive system, the most effective fertility treatment is often in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is the fertilization of the egg and sperm outside the body. Before trying IVF, some women respond to taking oral medication that’s prescribed to stimulate ovulation and are able to get pregnant just from taking this medication. A more effective form of fertility treatment is to combine fertility medication with IVF.
Fertility treatment with IVF may be an option for couples with a variety of challenges such as:
– Uterine fibroids
– Polycystic ovary syndrome
– Endometriosis
– Low sperm count
– Blocked fallopian tubes

If IVF is determined to be the best option, injectable hormones are given to induce several eggs to grow. An outpatient procedure is done under anesthesia to remove these eggs. IVF can also be done using eggs or embryos from an anonymous donor.
The eggs are fertilized with sperm provided by the patient’s partner or by a sperm donor in a lab environment. Once the eggs have been fertilized, they remain in the lab for a few days and are incubated as they develop into embryos. One or more embryos are then placed back into the woman’s uterus in a short outpatient surgery that doesn’t usually require anesthesia. Embryos that aren’t implanted can be frozen to be used in the future. Pregnancy happens if one or more embryos successfully implant inside the uterus.

How Effective is IVF?

While IVF is the most effective fertility treatment, it doesn’t work for everyone. Some couples are able to successfully attain pregnancy after one cycle of IVF. More than one cycle of IVF may be needed before pregnancy is attained in other couples. Women who are over 40 may have more difficulty attaining pregnancy than younger women, and using donor eggs may help increase the chance of success. Poor lifestyle choices can reduce a woman’s chance of success with IVF. Examples include smoking and excessive use of alcohol and caffeine.
Working closely with the fertility experts at the Center for Reproductive Health is the best way to find out whether you’re a good candidate for IVF or if a different form of fertility treatment would be better for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

The first frozen embryo transfer occurred in the 1980s, and since then the procedure has improved in its ability to successfully result in pregnancy. In fact, research shows the success rate of a frozen embryo resulting in a live birth is between 57% and 63%.

Here at California Center for Reproductive Health — with offices in Encino, Valencia, and West Hollywood, California — our reproductive specialists use precision and experience to successfully conduct frozen embryo transfers as part of many in vitro fertilization procedures.

Here’s why you might choose to freeze embryos and what happens during the process.

Why would I consider a frozen embryo transfer?

When you undergo in vitro fertilization, it can result in multiple viable embryos. You might choose to freeze any that are not used during a current cycle for future IVF cycles.

Freezing embryos also gives our specialists more time to make sure the woman’s uterus is prepared to successfully accept an embryo for implantation. We may use hormones or monitor her natural cycle to optimize the uterus.

When embryos are frozen, there’s less pressure to get the uterus ready on a specific calendar. The embryos are thawed when the woman’s system is ready to accept them. In some cases, this may mean months or years after the freezing process.

Embryos are often frozen when you decide to undergo PGT, which is preimplantation genetic testing, because it can take several days and up to a week to get the results. PGT helps you determine whether an embryo is viable, healthy, and free of genetic mutations.

Embryo freezing also helps a family preserve their future fertility. In couples in which one partner is undergoing cancer treatment, hormone therapy, or gender affirmation surgery, embryo freezing gives them a chance for a pregnancy that better fits their timeline.

What happens during a frozen embryo transfer?

An embryo is an egg that’s been fertilized in a lab and is ready to implant in the uterus. Freezing it halts the embryo’s developmental process.

Not all embryos are frozen at the same time. Some may be frozen the day after fertilization (Day 1), at cleavage stage (Day 3), or when they become blastocysts (Day 5). We determine when to freeze embryos, how many embryos to freeze at once, and when to thaw them based on several factors, including your age and general embryo health.

The time when we thaw the embryos for transfer depends on when and how your embryos were frozen. Some may need more time to grow in the lab before being placed in your uterus.

Prior to receiving the frozen embryo, we make sure the woman’s menstrual cycle is at a point that best supports a pregnancy. Often we give hormones that help to optimize the endometrium, or lining of the uterus. Blood tests and ultrasounds help us monitor how the woman’s body responds so we can pick just the right time for implantation.

We take careful consideration when transferring embryos to a woman’s uterus. The reproductive specialists want to transfer a number that gives you the highest chance of achieving a successful pregnancy but the lowest chance of pregnancy with multiples.

How successful is frozen embryo transfer?

Remember that no assisted reproductive technology (ART) can 100% guarantee a pregnancy or result in delivery of a healthy, full-term newborn.

The success of frozen embryo transfer depends on the quality of the embryos. Women younger than 35 tend to produce higher quality embryos, but if these embryos are implanted when a woman is older, they still have a high chance of successful implantation. If you choose to freeze your embryos after the age of 35, the chance of having lower-quality embryos increases.

At California Center for Reproductive Health, we want to do everything possible to help you achieve the family you desire. Please reach out to learn more about frozen embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, and other ART.