What are the recommended lifestyle modifications for women trying to conceive who are experiencing infertility?

Women experiencing infertility who are trying to conceive are recommended to adopt several lifestyle modifications to improve their chances of conception. Firstly, maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial: women with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over should be informed that obesity is associated with longer time to conceive, and weight loss through combined exercise and dietary advice programs is more effective in increasing pregnancy rates than weight loss advice alone. Conversely, women with a BMI less than 19 who have irregular or absent menstruation should be advised to increase their body weight to improve ovulation and fertility ¹.

Smoking cessation is strongly advised, as smoking and passive smoking reduce female fertility; women who smoke should be offered referral to smoking cessation programs ¹.

Alcohol consumption should be limited, with women advised to drink no more than 1 to 2 units once or twice per week and to avoid intoxication episodes to reduce risks to a developing fetus ¹.

Regular sexual intercourse every 2 to 3 days is recommended to optimize chances of pregnancy ¹.

Folic acid supplementation of 0.4 mg daily before conception and up to 12 weeks gestation is advised to reduce the risk of neural tube defects ¹.

Exercise moderation is important, especially for women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea or excessive exercise levels, as moderating exercise can improve ovulation and conception chances ¹.

Recent literature further supports the importance of nutritional and exercise interventions in improving conception rates, particularly in women with obesity and specific infertility-related conditions, emphasizing tailored lifestyle programs that combine diet and physical activity to enhance fertility outcomes (Gitsi et al., 2024).

In summary, recommended lifestyle modifications include: achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through combined diet and exercise programs, smoking cessation, limiting alcohol intake, regular sexual intercourse, folic acid supplementation, and moderating excessive exercise. These interventions collectively improve ovulation, conception rates, and pregnancy outcomes ¹ (Gitsi et al., 2024).