In today’s world, infertility is a common issue in men and women because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor nutrition, exposure to toxic chemicals, obesity, stress, and delay in pregnancy. 1 out of 8 couples in the United States, are dealing with infertility. These couples struggling to become parents rely on medicine and fertility treatment and they are also effective. But did you know that you can make your body more fertile through natural remedies that are devoid of side effects? Practicing yoga asanas to increase fertility is one such reliable technique that will give positive results. So, in what ways can yoga impact a woman’s overall wellness and fertility? In this article, we will discuss in detail about fertility yoga benefits so that you have the motivation to start doing it.
Benefits of Yoga for Fertility
Yoga strengthens a woman’s reproductive health on an emotional, spiritual, and physical level. Here’s how yoga practice will assist you in your fertility journey.
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Falling in love with your body
Going through fertility treatments can make you feel hopeless at times, and you may end up feeling disconnected. When you cannot connect with your inner self, how will you address the subtle changes or forewarnings your body tries to give you?
Yoga is an excellent way of focusing inward and rebuilding the connection between your mind and body. That’s why fertility specialists recommend fertility yoga to make the journey of motherhood more fulfilling.
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Stress relief
When you are keen on becoming a mother, but the pregnancy test results are always negative, it is natural to become stressed. Then there’s also the stress from work, job, and other problems. Did you know that there is a connection between stress and infertility? Studies have revealed that women who are stressed have lower libido and irregular ovulation.
Yoga can fix this as it keeps a person mindful. Once you begin practicing yoga, you will realize that you tend to remain happier. That’s because yoga increases endorphins and thus prepares your body to make the most of the fertility treatment.
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Better hormonal health
Hormonal imbalance is one of the causes of infertility in young women. Maintaining hormonal stability is necessary as it helps with sexual function, metabolism, and reproduction. So, say ‘yes’ to yoga to support your hormonal health and become more fertile.
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Improved blood flow to the ovaries and uterus
Compared to our past generations, we spend a lot of time sitting in one place – be it working on the computer or watching some web series. When a person sits down for hours, the blood flow to the reproductive organs gets limited.
So, yoga can be of help as one of the fertility yoga benefits is that it stimulates blood circulation. There are several yoga asanas that require you to open up your hips and stretch them, thus increasing the blood flow to your ovaries and uterus. Naturally, the chances of implantation will increase.
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Eases the side effects of fertility treatment
Women undergoing fertility treatments like IVF or IUI may feel fatigued, nauseous, and discomfort in the stomach. By practicing the best fertility yoga, you can reduce these unwanted side effects of fertility medications. When these unpleasant physical symptoms are gone, you will be able to carry on with your usual routine.
Moreover, a 2018 study proved that yoga increases the success rate of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) like IVF. So, there’s no harm in trying it.
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Builds resiliency
Yoga’s most beneficial aspect is that it encourages an individual to concentrate on their movements and breathing. So, instead of being worried about the future, you can stay in the present. This will cause a positive shift in your perspective and replenish your mental strength. It will also develop your resiliency and even if conceiving appears tough, you will be optimistic. Optimism is necessary during this phase of your life as it will increase the chances of success.
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Community support
Compassion and support are the two things that define the yoga community. So, practicing fertility yoga with other women who have the same goals as you will be an enriching experience. You will have immense mental satisfaction and you’ll look forward to attending your yoga classes daily. Sharing your story with others and hearing about their struggles will make you understand that you are not alone in this.
Best Fertility Yoga Poses to Boost Your Fertility
When you turn to yoga to get rid of your fertility issues, regular yoga may not be as effective as fertility yoga. Fertility yoga means specific yoga asanas that help you get pregnant.
Here are some kinds of yoga that are gentle:
Suryanamaskar:
Suryanamaskar is recommended for people who suffer from intense menstrual cramps, and it can also alleviate pain during menopause. There are other amazing benefits of surya namaskar for It enhances sexual functions and cures internal flaws concerning the sexual glands. This pose also strengthens a woman’s uterus and makes it expand when she is pregnant, thus making delivery less painful.
Badha Konasana:
The Butterfly Pose or Badha Konasana is a great asana for the inner thighs, genitals, knees, and hips. The pose will help you have a smooth delivery, and it is quite simple. You just have to sit straight and stretch your legs. After that, bend both legs inward so that both soles touch each other. Now hold the joined feet with your hands and pull them towards the pelvic area. Without leaving the feet, move the thighs like a butterfly’s wings. Do 5-10 sets of this asana.
Paschimottanasana:
Many believe that this asana is the best yoga for female fertility. Paschimottanasana targets the uterus and ovaries, two organs that play a key role in conception. The asana also improves the person’s psychological state.
Hastapadasana:
This asana will stretch your back muscles and facilitate blood circulation in the entire body. Doing it regularly will release stress from your abdomen and make the body flexible. So, stand straight and stretch your arms over the head. Then bend forward and touch the toes with both hands without bending your knees. Hold this pose for one minute and get up slowly. If your hands can’t reach the feet initially, they will after some practice.
Bhujangasana:
To use yoga for infertility females, you can try Bhujangasana twice a day. Also called the cobra pose, Bhujangasana is a tried-and-tested asana for infertile women. As it causes an increased blood flow to the uterus and ovaries, it creates hormonal balance, thus aiding the production of vaginal mucus.
Bhramari Pranayama:
The Humming Bee Breath or Bhramari Pranayama can ease a person’s nerves and make it easier for the nerves to flush out toxins. It can also decrease stress and so, make you fertile. To do this, sit and close your eyes. Place the index fingers on the ears to block noise. Inhale and exhale by humming in a high-pitched sound. Repeat the asana 5 times for the best results.
Doing yoga asanas properly is as important as doing them every day. If you have been trying to conceive for months, reach out to an accomplished yoga instructor and do the above-mentioned asanas daily.
Is It Safe to Practice Yoga During Fertility Treatment?
Even if you are doing it for the first time in your life, yoga is completely safe. You just need to be kind to yourself, begin slow, and don’t go too far with the difficult asanas. If you push yourself too hard, you may get injured. Therefore, focus on your breathing technique and your flexibility will gradually improve.
However, you must remember that each woman’s pregnancy journey is different, and fertility doctors customize the treatment accordingly. You should always ask your healthcare provider before you approach a yoga instructor. Rigorous exercise will not be wise as it may cause ovarian torsion. So, practice the gentle poses and complete them at your own pace.
Another thing to keep in mind is that yoga should always be done in an open space with good air circulation. Refrain from doing it in an artificially heated room and there can be dangerous consequences.
Read to know: Connection Between Diet and Fertility
To Sum Up
So, whether you’ve delayed your pregnancy because of career goals or financial reasons – you should consider fertility yoga to increase your chances of conceiving. And now you can also understand the link between yoga and fertility benefits. Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods as well. Yoga alone won’t help you unless you maintain a healthy weight and quit smoking and drinking.
