Staying active can help with fertility. Hormone balance, circulation, weight management, and many other areas are improved by exercising regularly. But if you’re receiving fertility treatments such as IVF, you may be asked not to exercise because it could interfere with treatment. That’s why talking to your fertility specialist about working out during fertility treatments is so important.
Before starting an IVF cycle or any other type of fertility treatment, ask your doctor about your fitness routine and what you should or shouldn’t continue. Some light exercise during certain parts of the treatment cycle can be beneficial, but too much exercise could actually reduce the effectiveness of your treatments.
Additionally, even exercising moderately but in the wrong part of the treatment cycle could mean a lower chance of the treatments having the intended outcome. That’s why it’s so important to attend all your preconception counseling appointments and make sure you have a clear understanding of what you can do to improve your chances of success.
Lower-impact workouts and less time spent exercising are both recommendations for most women during IVF. That’s especially true during the egg retrieval stage, and during the two weeks after the embryo transfer. Heavy exercise can decrease the chances that the embryo will implant properly.
Because a lot of women exercise for stress relief, and IVF can be a stressful time, you can look for low-impact options such as walking, swimming, or some yoga poses. If your medical professional has asked that you not exercise at all, especially during specific treatment phases, you may want to consider meditation and other types of activities that can help you relax.
That can help reduce your stress levels without exercise, and give you a better chance of a successful IVF cycle, since you won’t be putting that cycle at risk through exercise. Focusing on the things you can do during this time, and the value of carefully following your specialist’s orders, will make not exercising well worth it when you see success from your treatments.
If you have any questions about fertility or your specific health concerns, the team at the Fertility Institute of San Diego, can give you the support you need. We are a boutique San Diego fertility center that firmly believes that total wellness is an essential component during your fertility journey and pregnancy. Dr. Hosseinzadeh and her dedicated team of fertility specialists are here to help you throughout any part of your journey.
If you’re ready to start your fertility journey, please book a complimentary virtual consultation with Dr. Hosseinzadeh, to go over nutrition or any other fertility related questions, here.
