Fertility problems are generally treated with several therapeutic options or medical treatment. However, if you and your partner are planning a pregnancy, there are several alternative therapy options to increase fertility that can be tried apart from medical means.
Alternative therapy is not the main treatment method to treat fertility problems, but as a complementary therapy that can be used as an option to increase fertility. However, alternative therapies are considered effective enough to overcome fertility problems, especially those caused by stress or hormonal changes.
Not only that, alternative therapies are also the choice of many couples who are undergoing a pregnancy program or want to have children immediately after marriage because it is cheaper than reproductive methods with medical assistance, such as artificial insemination and IVF (IVF).
Alternative Therapeutic Options to Increase Fertility
The following are some types of alternative therapies that are believed to have the potential to increase fertility:
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an alternative medicine technique from China that is performed by inserting special needles at specific points on the skin's surface.
Acupuncture treatment techniques are believed to be able to balance hormone levels in the body, improve blood flow, and launch the menstrual cycle and ovulation, making it easier for women to determine their fertile period.
In addition, the acupuncture method can also be used as a support for the IVF method, so that the success rate of the IVF program is higher.
2. Herbal medicine
Use of certain herbal remedies, such as maca root (read root) and ginseng, are believed to increase fertility, improve the quality and number of male sperm, and support the natural process of female ovulation.
However, the consumption of any herbal medicine to improve fertility should be consulted with a gynecologist first. Although it includes a natural label on the product, it does not mean that herbal medicine is free from side effects.
In addition, not all herbal products have sufficient scientific evidence of their effectiveness in increasing fertility.
3. Hypnotherapy
The goal of hypnotherapy is to help you relax and reduce anxiety and stress about not having a baby.
Stress can cause fertility-regulating hormones in the body to be disrupted. When stress can be controlled, your body will become more fertile because levels of fertility-regulating hormones can return to normal.
This is the reason why hypnotherapy can help increase fertility and the chances of pregnancy.
4. Yoga
Yoga is a type of exercise and relaxation technique that can also be used to reduce stress and make the hormones in the body more balanced. Not only that, yoga can also make the body fitter.
Therefore, yoga is considered as a good alternative therapy to overcome fertility problems. However, the effectiveness of yoga as an alternative therapy to increase fertility and chances of getting pregnant still needs to be studied further.
5. Massage
Similar to yoga and hypnotherapy, massage therapy is also good for reducing stress and making the body feel more relaxed. Massage therapy is also thought to be able to increase blood flow, so that the reproductive organs can work better and make you more fertile.
Some of the alternative therapy options above you and your partner can try to increase fertility. However, you need to remember, until now there is no scientific evidence that states the effectiveness and safety of these alternative therapeutic methods in overcoming fertility problems.
Therefore, if you and your partner are planning a pregnancy, you should first consult with your doctor regarding what therapeutic options you and your partner can do, including alternative therapies that you can try.
Tips to Increase Fertility Naturally
In addition to the methods above, there are several natural ways that can be done to increase fertility, including:
Exercise regularly
Maintaining physical fitness is very important because it can increase the chances of pregnancy. Therefore, you and your partner are advised to exercise at least 3-4 times a week or at least 30 minutes every day. However, don't let you and your partner exercise too much, okay? This can actually interfere with fertility.
Consumption of nutrient-rich foods
Not only exercising regularly, maintaining the body's nutritional intake is also equally important to support pregnancy.
To increase fertility, you and your partner need to eat a balanced nutritious diet that contains protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, as well as vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and iron.
There are several types of content-fertilizing foods that you can consume including eggs, fish, green vegetables, bananas, cheese, yogurt, and nuts.
Stop unhealthy habits
Unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, as well as frequent stress and lack of sleep, should be avoided as long as you and your partner are undergoing a pregnancy program.
These bad habits can cause fertility hormones to become imbalanced, so fertility conditions can be disrupted. Therefore, to increase fertility, you and your partner need to live a healthy lifestyle from now on.
Generally, a healthy fertile couple will have a baby after trying to get pregnant within 1 year. However, if it's been more than 1 year, you and your partner haven't gotten pregnant yet, you should discuss the matter with your obstetrician.
Your doctor can give you advice on things you and your partner can do to increase fertility, including whether to take alternative therapies to increase fertility.
