FERTILITY AND EXERCISE: EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW!

27 June 20222′ read1 sections

Get answers to your questions about fertility and exercise

Whether you love intense workouts or prefer to stay close to the sofa, you will want to know a few things about fertility and exercise. This is especially true if you are hoping to have a baby in the near future. Our fertility specialists know that exercise can be divisive. Some people love it and others loathe it. However, following exercise recommendations may help you hold your baby in your arms sooner.

What should you know about fertility and exercise?

Are you exercising less, or more, than you should? Not getting enough physical activity can lead to weight problems, which can affect ovulation. However, too much exercise can also lead to ovulation problems. This shows that moderation is the key when it comes to fertility and exercise.

But what counts as moderate physical activity? In general, you should do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least four days a week. Some excellent options include walking, dancing, swimming, Pilates and yoga. You can also run and lift weights if you enjoy it. Just try to avoid training as you would for a marathon or a weightlifting competition.

Does exercise help with infertility?

Although exercise is not a treatment for infertility, it can help with certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This common condition causes problems such as irregular ovulation and weight gain. The good news is that exercise can help. Not only can it help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, but it can also help restore normal ovulation.

What if exercise is not enough?

Sometimes, following the exercise recommendations is not enough to make a pregnancy possible. When this happens, our fertility specialists at the "Alexandros Traianos" Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine can provide treatments to help overcome the barriers to conception. Whether you need a basic treatment or something more advanced such as IVF, our team can help. We can carry out fertility tests to identify why you are having difficulty conceiving and then develop a tailored treatment plan just for you.

If you would like to find out more and begin your fertility care, contact us to arrange an appointment. We are here to help you leave infertility behind!

TAGSfertilityIn vitro fertilization ThessalonikiIVF centers in ThessalonikiCenter for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Get answers to your questions about fertility and exercise

What should you know about fertility and exercise?

Does exercise help with infertility?

What if exercise is not enough?

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?