UNDERSTANDING FERTILITY
Holistic Approach
We adopt a holistic approach to address the physical aspects of fertility treatment, the emotional aspect as well as the lifestyle factors. By integrating complementary practices such as yoga for fitness, relaxation for stress management, and nutrition for a healthy balanced diet, we aim to provide a supportive space to optimise reproductive health and improve the body's readiness for conception.
Yoga
Fertility yoga offers a holistic approach specifically designed to boost reproductive health and support your IVF experience[1]. Combining physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation helps with the physical and emotional stresses associated with fertility treatments. One key benefit is improving blood circulation to the reproductive organs, which is essential for ovarian function and the uterine environment. It also supports egg quality and may facilitate better implantation results, which are critical factors in the success of IVF cycles.
In addition, by reducing stress levels and promoting emotional well-being, it provides for a more balanced internal environment, which is much needed when mitigating the anxiety and tension often experienced during fertility treatments. These psychological benefits are vital for the individual’s health and can positively affect IVF’s outcome.
Relaxation
The IVF treatments can be emotionally and physically taxing, but there are some relaxation techniques that you can try to enhance the IVF experience[2].
Chronic stress is often connected to hormonal imbalances, which may impact fertility negatively. By practicing techniques such as guided imagery, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and progressive muscle relaxation, cortisol levels (the stress hormone) can be reduced, potentially improving fertility outcomes.
Incorporating mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the relaxation programme helps you be more aware of your thoughts and emotions, thus better managing negative feelings associated with fertility treatments. At the same time, it eases the psychological burden during the IVF process and improves sleep quality for better rest.
Balanced Diet
Diet and nutrition have a significant impact on both male and female reproductive health[3]. A healthy and balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients can help maintain optimal hormonal balance, promote healthy ovulation and sperm production, and improve the chances of conception.
While diets like keto or vegan may be beneficial for some, they could impact fertility if it is not carefully managed with proper nutrition. For instance, the keto diet, which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates, can lead to hormonal imbalances if not complemented with the right nutrients. These imbalances may disrupt the menstrual cycle, potentially affecting fertility. Similarly, a vegan diet, which excludes animal products, may lack essential nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12, both of which are critical for producing healthy eggs and sperm.
For women, factors like menstrual history and gut health are important indicators of reproductive health. Regularity in bowel movements and staying hydrated are also important in supporting overall fertility. Avoiding extreme diets and focusing on balanced meals that provide all necessary nutrients helps with reproductive health.
1 Darbandi S, Darbandi M, Khorram Khorshid HR, Sadeghi MR. Yoga Can Improve Assisted Reproduction Technology Outcomes in Couples With Infertility. Altern Ther Health Med. 2018 Jul;24(4):50-55. PMID: 29112941.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29112941
2 Gaitzsch, H., Benard, J., Hugon-Rodin, J. et al. The effect of mind-body interventions on psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women: a systematic review. Arch Womens Ment Health 23, 479–491 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-019-01009-8.
3 Koga F, Kitagami S, Izumi A, Uemura T, Takayama O, Koga T, Mizoguchi T. Relationship between nutrition and reproduction. Reprod Med Biol. 2020 Jun 15;19(3):254-264. doi: 10.1002/rmb2.12332. PMID: 32684824; PMCID: PMC7360971. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7360971/
