Scott Weaver
Updated at: January 23, 2025 · 6 min read
How to Increase Fertility After 35
Fertility naturally declines with age, especially after 35, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to boost your chances of conceiving. Whether you’re trying for your first child or adding to your family, there are specific strategies and lifestyle adjustments you can make to improve fertility. In this guide, we’ll cover natural methods, dietary tips, supplements, and testing options, tailored for a UK audience.
Key Takeaways
Healthy Habits Help Fertility:
Eating nutritious foods, exercising moderately, and reducing stress can improve fertility for both men and women over 35.
Supplements and Tests Make a Difference:
Products like FertilWoman Plus for women and FertilMan Plus for men, along with at-home fertility tests, can boost reproductive health and provide useful insights.
Track and Time Fertility:
Understanding your ovulation cycle with tools like FertilTime tests can help you pinpoint your most fertile days and increase your chances of conceiving.
How To Increase Your Fertility At Any Age
Whilst increasing your fertility becomes increasingly important as we get older, it's still always important to live a healthy lifestyle to boost your fertility no matter how young or old you are, if you're hoping to conceive. Our other dedicated guide offers simple advice on how to increase your fertility in general at any age.
Why Does Fertility Decline After 35?
Between the ages of 18-26 couples often fall pregnant after actively trying for around one year, 92% of the time.
For people between the ages of 35-40, this rate changes to around 82%.
For women, the number and quality of eggs decrease significantly as they age:
At 30, women typically have around 100,000 to 150,000 eggs remaining.
By 35, this number falls to 70,000 to 80,000.
Men also experience a decline in sperm quality and motility as they age. While this can make conception more challenging, there are ways to optimise fertility and increase the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Natural Ways to Increase Fertility After 35
1. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy body supports healthy fertility. This includes:
Regular Exercise: Engage in moderate exercise to improve overall health, hormone balance, and circulation (Harvard Health, 2020; Skoracka et al, 2021; Tommys, 2023). Avoid excessive exercise, as it can interfere with ovulation.
Balanced Diet: Focus on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Include fertility-boosting foods such as:
Beans, seeds, and lentils for protein and fibre.
Oily fish for omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts for omega-3 and omega-6, which improve sperm quality.
Whole grains for sustained energy and hormone regulation.
2. Reduce Stress
Stress can negatively impact fertility by disrupting hormone levels. Consider relaxation techniques such as yoga, mindfulness, or light meditation to help manage stress.
3. Avoid Harmful Habits
Certain habits can harm fertility:
Smoking: Damages eggs and reduces sperm quality (NHS, 2023).
Alcohol: Even moderate drinking can interfere with hormone production (Wild, S., 2022; Drinkaware, 2022).
Caffeine: Limit intake to less than 200mg a day (about one or two cups of coffee).
How to Increase Female Fertility After 35
Women’s fertility declines more rapidly with age, but the following tips can help:
1. Improve Egg Quality
As egg quality diminishes over time, you can support healthier eggs by:
Eating a nutrient-rich diet: Include foods high in vitamins and minerals, such as leafy greens, berries, and whole grains.
Taking fertility supplements: Consider products like Babystart FertilWoman Plus, which contain essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to support reproductive health.
2. Track Ovulation
Understanding your menstrual cycle can help you time intercourse during your most fertile days. Use an ovulation test like the Babystart FertilTime Ovulation Test to pinpoint your fertile window.
How to Increase Male Fertility After 35
Men can also take steps to improve their fertility by focusing on sperm health:
1. Improve Sperm Quality
Sperm quality can decline with age, but you can boost it by:
Eating foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc (Ferramosca & Zara, 2022).
Avoiding activities that increase scrotal temperature, such as prolonged laptop use on your lap or excessive hot baths.
2. Take Male Fertility Supplements
Products like Babystart FertilMan Plus are designed to support sperm production, motility, and overall male reproductive health. These supplements include key nutrients like selenium, zinc, and vitamins that are crucial for sperm quality.
Fertility Testing After 35
If you’re concerned about your fertility, at-home testing kits can provide valuable insights.
1. Female Fertility Tests
Babystart FertilCheck Female Fertility Test: Measures follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, which indicate ovarian reserve.
Learn more
2. Male Fertility Tests
Babystart FertilCount2 Male Fertility Test: Assesses sperm concentration quickly and accurately in the comfort of your home.
Discover FertilCount2
3. Ovulation Tests
Use an ovulation test like Babystart FertilTime to identify your most fertile days.
Additional Tips to Boost Fertility After 35
1. Manage Weight
Being overweight or underweight can affect hormone levels and reduce fertility. Aim to maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet.
2. Get Regular Health Check-Ups
Ensure underlying health conditions like thyroid issues or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are properly managed. These can impact both male and female fertility.
3. Stay Active
Physical activity improves circulation and hormone regulation. However, avoid over-exercising, as this can disrupt ovulation in women and reduce sperm quality in men.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you’ve been actively trying to conceive for more than six months without success, consider consulting a fertility specialist. They can help identify specific issues and recommend treatment options such as IVF or IUI if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Fertility may decline with age, but there are plenty of ways to increase your chances of conceiving after 35. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, taking targeted supplements, and using fertility tests to monitor your progress, you can take control of your reproductive health. Wherever you are on your fertility journey, UK Meds offers a range of fertility-focused products to support you every step of the way.
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