Preventing Fertility Problems

Fertility issues can affect both men and women, and often, they go unnoticed until a couple starts trying to conceive. At Apollo Fertility, we've seen how taking action early dramatically changes outcomes for our patients. Our specialists have helped countless couples avoid conception struggles through strategic prevention. Whether you're planning for pregnancy next month or next decade, these evidence-based tactics for preventing fertility problems will stack the odds in your favour. The small choices you make today could be the difference between a smooth journey to parenthood and months of frustration and specialist appointments later.

Daily Habits That Safeguard Your Fertility

What you do every day either nurtures or undermines your reproductive potential. These practical adjustments can make a surprising difference in preventing fertility problems before they start.

Consume Healthy Fertility Food

Your plate influences your reproductive system in ways most people never realize. Nutrition doesn't just affect weight—it directly impacts egg quality, sperm health, and hormone balance. The right foods can be game-changers in preventing fertility problems:

• Swap processed foods for colourful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants that protect egg and sperm DNA
• Include fertility-friendly fats like avocados, olive oil, and nuts that support hormone production
• Boost your intake of zinc-rich foods (oysters, pumpkin seeds, beef) to improve sperm parameters
• Don't forget folate-rich foods like leafy greens, which prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy
• Watch portion sizes too—both too little and too much body fat can affect your hormones. Even losing just 5% of body weight can restore ovulation in many women with PCOS.

Maintain a Good Sleep Schedule and Avoid Stress

Poor sleep negatively affects reproductive hormones. Just one week of sleep deprivation can lower testosterone by 15% in men. Women who work night shifts often experience irregular menstrual cycles.

Chronic stress floods your system with cortisol, which essentially tells your body, "now is not the time to reproduce." Your ancient biological programming prioritizes survival over reproduction when you're stressed. Try these practical approaches:

• Create a consistent sleep schedule with 7-8 hours nightly
• Establish a digital sunset one hour before bedtime
• Practice targeted stress-reduction techniques like box breathing or progressive muscle relaxation
• Consider fertility-focused yoga or meditation programs
• Set boundaries around work to prevent burnout

Avoid Certain Environmental Exposures

Modern life surrounds us with reproductive toxins our grandparents never encountered. Being savvy about these exposures is essential for preventing fertility problems:

• Heat exposure can dramatically impact sperm, and even the placement of your laptop matters! Keep hot electronics off laps.
• Swap plastic food containers for glass or stainless steel to reduce hormone-disrupting chemicals.
• Check personal care products for parabens and phthalates, which can mimic hormones.
• Consider your workplace exposures as painters, factory workers, and agricultural workers face higher risks.

Filter tap water to remove potential contaminants.

Choose organic produce when possible, especially for the "Dirty Dozen"—a list of fruits and vegetables found to have the highest levels of pesticide residues. These include strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines, apples, grapes, cherries, peaches, pears, bell peppers, celery, and tomatoes.

Timing Techniques That Actually Work

Getting the timing right is one of the best ways to prevent fertility problems. Many people think ovulation always happens on Day 14 of the cycle, but that’s not true for most women. In fact, only a few actually ovulate on that exact day.

To improve your chances of conceiving, you should track your own cycle. Using more than one method gives better results. Here’s a simple plan that works:

• Basal Body Temperature (BBT): Take your temperature every morning. A small rise shows ovulation has likely happened.
• Cervical Mucus Monitoring: Around ovulation, your mucus becomes clear and stretchy, like egg whites.
• Ovulation Predictor Kits (OPKs): These test your urine for hormone changes that happen 24–36 hours before ovulation.
• Cervix Check: During your fertile days, your cervix feels higher, softer, and more open.
• Fertility Apps: Use apps that track multiple signs for more accurate predictions.

The Intercourse Strategy That Fertility Specialists Recommend

When it comes to improving your chances of getting pregnant, how often and when you have sex matters more than any myths about position.

Have sex every 2–3 days throughout your cycle. This way, healthy sperm are always available when you ovulate, without the stress of pinpointing the exact day.

• Don’t wait just for ovulation day. Trying to time it perfectly can cause stress and may not work as well as regular intercourse.
• For men with lower sperm count, it’s better to wait 24–48 hours between sex. This gives time for sperm levels to build up.
• Morning sex may help a little. Testosterone levels in men are usually higher in the morning, which can boost both sperm quality and mood.

Medical Prevention Worth Considering

Some proactive medical interventions can make a tremendous difference in preventing fertility problems before they impact your family plans. The ideal preconception checkup includes:

• Comprehensive bloodwork assessing hormone levels, thyroid function, and vitamin status
• Screening for silent infections that could impact fertility
• Medication review to identify potential fertility disruptors
• Vaccination updates (some infections like chickenpox can be dangerous during pregnancy)
• Discussion of family history and genetic concerns
• Personalized supplement recommendations beyond just folic acid

Men benefit from preconception care too—seminal fluid takes 74 days to develop, so improvements made three months before trying to conceive can significantly impact sperm health.

Early Intervention for Warning Signs

Certain symptoms shouldn't be ignored. Recognizing these warning signs is crucial for preventing fertility problems from progressing:

For Women:

• Irregular periods or cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days
• Extremely painful periods that interfere with daily activities
• Significant change in flow volume or duration
• Mid-cycle spotting or bleeding after intercourse
• Pelvic pain, especially during intercourse

For Men:

• Difficulty maintaining erections
• Pain, swelling or lumps in the testicles
• History of prostate problems or sexually transmitted infections
• Ejaculation issues or a decrease in ejaculate volume

Take Control of Your Fertility Future Today!

Don't leave your reproductive future to chance. The steps you take now toward preventing fertility problems could save you months or years of heartache later. At Apollo Fertility, we offer specialized fertility preservation planning that gives you clear, actionable strategies tailored to your unique health profile and life circumstances. Book your preventative fertility assessment today and gain peace of mind about your reproductive health.