Fertility: Practical Steps to Improve Your Chances of Conceiving

Trying to get pregnant can feel confusing and stressful. The good news: many couples can improve their odds with clear, simple changes and the right tests. This page gives fast, practical steps you can use today, plus pointers on when to see a specialist.

Quick checks before you start

Age matters. Fertility tends to decline after 35, so timing for testing and treatment shifts earlier as age rises. If you’re under 35 and you've been trying for a year, consider medical advice. If you’re 35 or older, get checked after six months or sooner if you have irregular cycles or known health issues.

Track ovulation. The easiest wins come from timing sex around ovulation. Use ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), a basal body temperature chart, or a reliable app to identify the fertile window — typically the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation.

Check male factors early. About half of fertility problems involve sperm. A simple semen analysis gives fast, useful info. Men should avoid hot baths, tight underwear, heavy alcohol, and recent steroid use before testing.

Steps you can take now

Have sex regularly but not obsessively. Aim for sex every two to three days or daily during the fertile window. That keeps sperm quality steady without stress.

Improve basics: stop smoking, cut back on alcohol, and keep caffeine moderate. Aim for a healthy BMI — underweight and overweight both affect hormone balance. Small, steady weight changes help more than crash diets.

Mind what you take. Start folic acid (400–800 mcg) if pregnancy is possible. Vitamin D and a balanced prenatal-style multivitamin can also help. Talk with your provider before starting supplements like CoQ10 or high-dose antioxidants — some show promise but need proper dosing.

Know the common tests. For women: AMH (ovarian reserve), day-3 FSH, pelvic ultrasound, and HSG (fallopian tube check). For men: semen analysis and a repeat if results are low. Your doctor will explain which tests fit your situation.

If basic steps don’t work, treatments range from ovulation medicines (letrozole or clomiphene) to intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Each step has different costs, success rates, and timeframes — your clinic can map a plan that fits your goals.

Use resources. Telehealth can speed up initial consults and prescriptions. Our site covers related topics like male sexual health and telemedicine options that often help couples move forward faster.

Don’t wait when red flags appear: severe pelvic pain, absent periods, known endometriosis, or a history of pelvic infection. Those deserve earlier evaluation.

Fertility feels personal. Small, specific changes plus the right tests get most people closer to success. If you want, check our related articles on male health, telehealth services, and medications that intersect with fertility—practical reads that help you plan the next step.