Are you and your partner struggling with infertility? This might be your first child, or you might already have multiple children. Either way, choosing to procreate is a big step in any couple?s life. However, as many couples can attest to, procreating is also not always the easiest thing to achieve. Fortunately, if infertility is present, it can be treated with medicine, surgery, intra uterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, or assisted reproductive technology. If you have been trying for years, it is likely that you are already working with an infertility physician. However, in addition to your in vitro fertilization and other treatments, remember these additional alternative steps.

Regular physician checkups
When you and your partner are dealing with infertility, it probably seems like you see your infertility physician more frequently than any of your other physicians. This can be a mistake. Even if you were initially tested with your primary physician and then referred to your infertility physician, new medical conditions can arise that also affect your fertility rates. You also do not want you or your spouse?s health to deteriorate, because you avoid regular physician checkups. It might also be important to find a gynecologist to ensure that you are receiving regular checkups in that area as well.

Vitamins and supplements
Although vitamins and supplements are not likely to correct the medical issue causing the infertility, it can make you overall healthier. Poor health can lead to infertility. Vitamins and supplements can improve other areas of your body, which might also be important in the event that you do get pregnant. Sometimes, hormone therapy is used in addition to vitamin therapy. It is also likely that your infertility physician will recommend an increase in vitamins during in vitro fertilization. There are many causes of infertility in women and vitamins can improve the bodies overall condition.

Healthy eating and habits
Just as vitamins and supplements may help improve the health of the body for conception, it is also important to participate in healthy eating and other habits. The foods that you consume can actually affect your hormone levels, which can, in turn, affect fertility rates. Hormone treatments may require specific eating habits or the lack of specific foods and drinks. Avoiding alcohol and drugs is also very important, as it can cause low T centers and reduce the success rate of in vitro fertilization and other infertility treatments.

Smoking is another common cause of infertility. Many couples are not aware that smoking can reduce hormone levels that are important in conception. Smoking as few as five cigarettes a day has been associated with lower fertility rates in both men and women. High alcohol intake can also affect fertility rates and both should be avoided when trying to conceive.

Emotional support
Emotions can also affect the overall health of the body. Emotions can decrease and increase hormone levels, making it more difficult to conceive. The entire process of infertility can be difficult and bring up a lot of strong emotions, which can further affect the success of conception. Known mental disorders can play a part in infertility. In fact, life long depression and financial hardship may lead to early menopause, according to two 2003 studies. It is extremely important to take care of the mental health of both partners during a long infertility treatment process. Remember self care and seek professional help, when needed.

Anyone involved in infertility treatments understands the lengthy and stressful process. The process can not only be time consuming and expensive, but can also put an emotional toll on your health, which further affects fertility rates. When you are involved in numerous fertility testing and treatments, remember to continue medical visits with your primary physician, seek emotional help with needed, continue taking needed vitamins and supplements, and avoid things like drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Although these changes may not directly allow you to conceive, they could be contributing to the problem of infertility.