Monday, May 28, 2007

Exercise your way to fertility

Have you ever ask the question : "Is exercise okay while trying to conceive?"

Hope the following helps to provide you the answer:
  • Does your partner like to spend hours on the exercise bike at the gym? Tell him to hop on the treadmill instead. A study at the University of California School of Medicine revealed that men who cycle more than 100 km per week put their fertility at risk. The repeated banging of the groin against the bicycle seat can damage critical arteries and nerves.

  • You can have too much of a good thing -- at least when it comes to exercise. Excessive amounts of exercise can lead to such fertility problems as irregular periods, anovulatory cycles (cycles in which ovulation does not occur), and luteal phase deficiencies (a problem that occurs when the second half of your cycle isn't long enough to allow for the proper implantation of the fertilized egg). The moral of the story? Stay active, but don't overdo it.

  • Don't go on a crash diet if you're hoping to try for that Y2K baby. Starvation diets, purging, bingeing, and yo-yo dieting affect ovulation and consequently your fertility.

Next question is have is that "Can exercise affect implantation?"
  • Yes, "excessive" exercise can interfere with conception.

So while doing exercise, in my opinion is to do it moderately. I suppose anything too much may not be good for health.

Sharing with you the benefits of exercise.

Exercise and Stress
Developing a healthy exercise routine is an excellent way to increase fertility as well as to improve overall healthy. Exercise reduces high stress levels, which are linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases and depression, which can in turn negatively affect ovulation and menstruation.

Exercise, such as Pilates and yoga, releases endorphins which condition the body to respond in a more healthy manner to stress and also improves overall mental health, thereby improving a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.

Footnote: We should try to RELAX when trying to conceive as STRESS affects FERTILITY!