Couples facing infertility often turn to fertility specialists to help them find relief and reach their goals through various treatments and procedures.
But before the fertility doctor recommends undergoing procedures, many encourage fertility boosting lifestyle changes that may be helpful and can keep you from spending money on treatment.
Some lifestyle changes may even save you money in the long or short term.
While most couples who seek ways to improve their fertility have already had problems getting pregnant, many look into ways to improve their chances of conception before they even start seriously trying.
For one, being in good overall health is a great way to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Being of a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet can help you up your odds while also improving your overall health and well-being.
What's more, many who lose weight and eat healthy report having more energy.
On the other side of the spectrum, being underweight may be detrimental to one's chances of getting pregnant, not to mention their overall health and well-being.
One of the better known lifestyle changes for men is switching from briefs to boxers.
Avoiding activities that may raise the temperature of the testicles may be helpful in boosting fertility.
This means not putting laptops on your lap, sitting in hot tubs on a daily basis, keeping cell phones out of our pocket whenever possible, avoiding biking, and not using the heated car seat feature.
Some studies show that avoiding these things may not actually have much of an impact, although many specialists still recommend it.
Quitting smoking is another great way to not only boost fertility, but it can improve your overall health and save you money in the short and long term.
Drinking alcohol and coffee in excess may also decrease fertility.
Drinking such beverages-including any caffeinated beverage-in moderation may be helpful.
Such drinks often have high calorie counts, and may also contribute to carrying unhealthy weight.
If you're using lubrication during sex, make sure it doesn't include a spermicide.
Some water-based lubricants may also affect the motility of sperm, hurting the chances of a successful conception.
Talk to your doctor about tracking your menstrual cycle to determine when you're ovulating, and have more sex closer to the time of ovulation.
Ovulation happens about 14 days before your period.
If you have been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for more than a year, see a fertility doctor.
Women over 35 should see a doctor after six months of unsuccessful attempts.