I often encounter the question of whether exercise is advisable during fertility procedures. I wanted to share some general guidelines to help clarify this.
Generally, it’s best to avoid exercising immediately after your acupuncture appointments. Try to schedule your workouts before these sessions.
Throughout your conception journey, it’s wise to avoid activities that could lead to overheating, such as hot yoga, saunas, and hot tubs. These can potentially deplete your body’s “yin” or fluids.
Remember that staying well-hydrated with electrolytes is crucial for replenishing your body and restoring your “yin.” Additionally, aim to consume at least 20 grams of protein within 20 minutes after your workouts.
For Men’s Fertility:
Men can generally continue their exercise routines daily, keeping the above considerations in mind. If you feel overheated after exercising or at any other time, applying ice to the testicles can be beneficial to prevent overheating, which may impact morphology and motility.
For Women Undergoing Timed Intercourse (TIC):
It is recommended to exercise during your follicular phase (before ovulation). Once you have ovulated, it’s best to reduce the intensity of your workouts (like lifting weights and cardio) by about 25% compared to what you were doing in the follicular phase. Activities like walking and hiking can usually be continued at your normal level.
For Women Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):
Similar to TIC, it’s best to exercise during your follicular phase. After ovulation, reduce the intensity of your workouts (such as lifting weights and cardio) by approximately 50% of your follicular phase routine. Walking and hiking can typically be continued at your usual level.
For Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
You can typically exercise while you are taking estrogen and/or stimulation medications. However, many women find that the side effects of these medications make it uncomfortable to exercise at full capacity. In the week leading up to your embryo transfer, it’s advisable to reduce your exercise to about 25% of your regular routine. Avoid exercising on the day of your transfer.
After the transfer, the first 48 hours are particularly important, so focusing on relaxation is recommended. After the initial 24 hours, light activity like walking around the house is fine. Following this, you can gradually increase to walking inside or outside for a maximum of 2 miles. Please refrain from heavy weightlifting, deadlifts, squats, and any core exercises.
The waiting period of 9-14 days for your pregnancy test results can be an anxious time. While some women find exercise helpful for stress relief, this might be a good time to consider acupuncture as a way to help reduce stress instead.