CosBeauty Magazine #84

chances of starting or expanding your
family. Why not begin an exercise
routine that you can both enjoy?
‘Couples that exercise together will
not only become fitter, improving
wellbeing of the entire body, but
they will enjoy the endorphins that
exercise brings with it,’ says Dr.
Tierney. ‘The feel-good hormones
produced when we work out may
even boost sex drive. Weight
management will also be easier and
you’re more likely to want to have
intercourse if you’re not worried
about how you look naked.’
Exercise and diet are also
imperative to keep both partners at a
healthy weight.
‘We know that if either the man
or the woman is overweight, their
chances of conceiving is reduced,’
says Dr. Teirney. ‘Being overweight
or in fact, obese, can cause hormonal
problems leading to infrequent
ovulation and irregular periods. In
men, it can affect the health and
vitality of the sperm.’
Succumb to Stress
While stress isn’t directly linked
to infertility, it’s widely believed
that it can contribute to difficulty
falling pregnant.
‘It can compound the problem,’
says Dr. Raewyn. ‘For couples who
are trying to conceive, this can be
a difficult and emotionally-fraught
time, especially if they are not
becoming pregnant as quickly as they
had hoped.
‘Any additional stress can be
perceived as greater because of their
already stressed frame of mind.
Couples who are stressed are less
likely to want to have intercourse.
This less frequent intercourse will
of course impact your chances of
conceiving, but it’s also worth noting
that stress spikes cortisol levels, which
could also affect the female’s cycle.’
Dr. Teirney suggests couples
implement stress management
techniques such as regular exercise,
date nights or weekends away where
they can relax and unwind together,
yoga, meditation and/or relaxation
and breathing techniques.
‘Tracking the female cycle using
specific tracking devices such as
ovulation and hormone markers to
pinpoint the female’s most fertile time
can be particularly useful, too,’ says
Dr. Teirney. ‘It takes the guesswork
out of trying to fall pregnant and
improves their chances of conceiving.
We also recommend they look
at their lifestyle and reduce any
potential stressful factors, such as an
unhappy work place, or unnecessary
financial commitments.’
Forget to Have
Regular Sex
As obvious as this seems, many
couples do refrain from intercourse
in a bid to ‘save the good sperm’ for
the right time of the month. This is
a common myth, however it is now
dispelled, as we know that frequent
ejaculation actually helps to maintain
sperm health!
‘It encourages the body to
regenerate and refresh sperm and if
the male is otherwise healthy, we
typically see that the quality of sperm
is good,’ says Dr. Teirney. ‘Timed
sexual intercourse is also extremely
important, so be sure you are enjoying
those intimate moments when the
female as at her most fertile times in
her cycle.’ CBM
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www.cosbeauty.com.au 75