Many people wonder if exercise will decrease, or increase, fertility having read or heard conflicting information. So what is the real answer? Exercise can both positively and negatively impact fertility, depending on the circumstances.

Exercise and  Decreased Fertility in Women

Weight is an important factor in fertility in women. With society’s increased acceptance of the super thin physique, there has been an increase in women experiencing fertility problems. For women who are excessively thin, exercise can actually decrease the chances of becoming pregnant. It is necessary to have some body fat in order to produce estrogen, which the body needs for the regulation of ovulation. Too little body fat can cause the body to ovulate irregularly, or cease ovulation altogether.

Over Exercise and Male Infertility

Occasionally, exercise can also negatively impact male fertility. For men with a low sperm count, exercise should be given special consideration. Sperm live most optimally at normal body temperature. With exercise, the body temperature typically rises, which can cause the sperm to die, lowering sperm count. It has also been found that excessively thin males have a lower sperm count.

Exercise and Increased Fertility

If a woman is over weight, exercise can lead to weight loss which will increase fertility. Extra body fat leads to increased estrogen which can hinder ovulation. Generally, a healthy lifestyle which includes a healthy diet and moderate exercise is widely accepted as positive factors in increased fertility in both men and women. Regular Exercise is known to be beneficial in these ways:

• Exercise is known to decrease stress, which can be a consideration in infertility. many people experience an increase in fertility with stress deduction techniques, such as exercise.
• Regular exercise can help regulate hormones and increase circulation.

Are there Specific Exercises to Increase Fertility?

Though many studies, both formal and informal, have been done on the subject, the jury is still out on specifically which exercises may increase fertility most dramatically. While all moderate exercise is know to be of positive benefit in most people, some may increase the chances a bit more. Moderate exercises to increase fertility include:

• Walking regularly is low impact and can help in weight loss and weight maintenance.
• Swimming is another great choice in moderate exercise.
• Golf
• Cycling is low impact and aerobic
• Yoga. Many yoga poses are thought to be very helpful in increasing fertility by increasing the circulation and blood flow to relevant parts of the body. However, there is even some debate as to which poses are most beneficial. The belief and acceptance of yoga’s positive impact on fertility is so widely held that many fertility treatment centers also include Yoga classes as part of their auxiliary programs.

Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to talk with your physician. An online support group would also have valuable information on area exercise classes as well as personal experiences as what exercises were helpful in increasing fertility.