Fertility Problems

To decrease your risk of fertility problems and increase your chances of becoming pregnant, use the following guidelines.

Track ovulation at home

• Estimate when you are Reference ovulating Opens New Window by practicing Reference fertility awareness. This means:
  • Tracking your cervical mucus changes.
  • Tracking your basal body temperature on a monthly Fahrenheit temperature chart (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?) or Celsius temperature chart (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?).
  • Tracking your Reference luteinizing hormone (LH) levels with a home ovulation predictor test. Many doctors now recommend these home tests as the best way to track ovulation at home.
• Try this interactive tool to Reference calculate your peak fertility Reference .
• Try having sex every day or every other day during a woman's fertile period. This can improve the chance of pregnancy.
• If you exercise strenuously most days of the week, reduce your level of activity. Very strenuous exercise can cause women to ovulate less often.

Protect sperm count and quality

• If you use a vaginal lubricant during sex, select one that doesn't kill or damage sperm.
• If you exercise strenuously most days of the week, reduce your level of activity. Very strenuous exercise may be a cause of lower sperm counts in some men.
• Avoid hot tubs and saunas. High Reference scrotal Opens New Window temperatures may decrease sperm count and quality.^{Reference 3}
• Try to control fever when you are ill. High fever has been known to have a harmful effect on sperm for 2 to 3 months afterward. (Sperm take this long to grow from germ cells to mature sperm.)

General measures

Women who are trying to get pregnant should avoid using alcohol and medicines, including Reference nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Opens New Window (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.