So you want to have a baby. You’ve come to the right place because we’re here to offer you our care and support! During this exciting time, it’s important to have the right tools and resources, so we’ve curated important information to improve your fertility experience.  

In this guide, we’ll discuss all things fertility-related, including traditional ways to boost your chances of getting pregnant, how to address issues with infertility and which essential oils can help you on your journey to pregnancy.

Your pregnancy awaits so let’s get started!

How To Increase Fertility

There are many traditional ways to try to boost fertility. Here are some of the most common. 

Understand Your Cycle

The best way to successfully conceive is by understanding your menstrual cycle. In a typical cycle, you’ll ovulate two weeks prior to your period. On or around ovulation is the best time to try to conceive. 

There are many ways to get a better idea of when you’ll ovulate, including ovulation prediction kits. These tests work by testing a urine sample for what’s known as a luteinizing hormone–a hormone that increases before ovulation.

Follicular Study

A common component of fertility treatment is a follicular study. In a follicular study, doctors use ultrasound to monitor and document ovarian follicles to better understand an individual’s pathway to ovulation. This also helps them to decide the best time to move forward with IVF embryo implantation.

Tracking Cervical Mucus 

Tracking changes in your cervical mucus can help you understand when you’ll ovulate and are most fertile. Leading up to ovulation, your cervical mucus may increase and become more thin and slippery. This is a good time to try to conceive. During ovulation, cervical mucus is often thick, sticky and cloudy. 

However, everyone is different and it may take a few months of tracking your cervical mucus before you can correctly identify when you’ll ovulate. 

Measuring Basal Body Temperature

Another way to predict when you’ll ovulate is by measuring your basal body temperature each morning that you wake up. Before ovulation, your body temperature will dip before ovulation, then increase and stay constant for several days following ovulation. These changes can be very small and require a special thermometer to track.

Some also use tracking basal body temperature as a form of birth control.

Lubricants

While it may seem logical that lubricants would help sperm motility–sperm’s ability to swim towards and fertilize an egg–many studies have shown that commercial lubricants and some vegetable oils greatly reduce sperm motility.[4] In other words, try to avoid lubricants where you can. 

While this may not apply to those trying to get pregnant, it’s also interesting to note that Aromatherapist Robert Tisserand states that vegetable oils (including carrier oils like castor oil) can degrade condoms when used as lube. 

Stay Healthy

Along with tracking your menstrual cycle, maintaining good health is crucial when trying to conceive. Some important ways to keep your health in check include: 

• Eating a healthy diet

• Drinking plenty of water

• Exercising frequently 

• Not smoking

• Not drinking alcohol 

• Reducing caffeine and stimulant intake

• Managing stress and depression
  

Difficulty Getting Pregnant  

Infertility is the irregular function of the male and female reproductive system, and according to the National Infertility Association, it affects 10% of the population. Another way infertility is diagnosed is if you’ve been unsuccessful at getting pregnant after one year of trying. 

Certain factors make infertility more likely, including:

• You’re 35 or older

• Have an irregular period

• Have a family history of infertility

• Have severe PMS symptoms 

• Have endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease

• Have undergone treatments for cancer

• Have had multiple miscarriages

Infertility affects both men and women and may be caused by these common factors. 

Male Infertility

• Reduced Sperm Delivery: Damage or congenital defects of reproductive organs can cause blockage and reduced sperm delivery. 

• Low Sperm Count: A lowered sperm count can reduce the likelihood of successful conception. 

• Cancer Treatments: Both men and women’s ability to reproduce can be impaired by previous cancer treatments. 

• Environment: Environmental factors such as pollution, certain medications and frequent exposure to heat can all negatively impact fertility. 
  
  

Female Infertility

• Abnormal Reproductive Organs: An abnormally shaped uterus, uterine fibroids, pelvic adhesions, benign tumors and a blocked fallopian tube can all play a role in difficulties getting pregnant. 

• Problems Ovulating: Polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cysts, hyperprolactinemia, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause problems with ovulation, leading to unsuccessful conception. 

• Early Menopause: Defined as menopause that occurs before age 40, menopause halts ovulation.

• Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a disorder in which endometrial tissue grows on the outside of the uterus, whereas it would normally grow on the inside. This can lead to irregular periods and severe menstrual pain.

• Cancer Treatments: As previously mentioned, cancer treatments impact both men and women’s ability to reproduce. 

At EG, we know the physical and emotional aspects of infertility can be difficult and we want to let you know that we’re here for you.

How Do Essential Oils Boost Fertility?

It is known that essential oils affect the reproductive system. According to “Aromatherapy for Health Professionals,” a survey of 120 aromatherapists carried out by Wong (1995), in conjunction with Aromatherapy Quarterly, regarding the personal effects of essential oils on therapists using essential oils in treatments, revealed that they took place on many levels. Of the 120 therapists surveyed: 

About 28% of the women surveyed felt some effect on their reproductive system, but most did not know whether this was due to the essential oils or other factors. Most experienced positive effects such as a decreased PMS, period pains and menopausal symptoms, including a more regular menstrual cycle. Clary Sage essential oil was mentioned many times in this context. 

One major aspect of being able to conceive is managing hormonal imbalance. Having an irregular cycle caused by out-of-whack hormones is generally a symptom of infertility. Registered Aromatherapist Beverly Hawkins states that EOs are known to support hormonal balance, specifically Clary Sage, Fennel, Yarrow, Cistus, Myrrh, Rose, German and Roman Chamomile essential oil.  

It is believed that essential oils can support fertility, or factors that affect fertility such as the emotional and physical aspects of trying to conceive. 

Which Essential Oils Promote Fertility?

Studies have shown the positive effects of these essential oils on fertility. 

• A 2019 study showed that Oregano and Eucalyptus oil added to sperm samples significantly improved the sperm’s mobility and vitality.

• A follow-up study was performed in 2020 to further examine Oregano’s effects on sperm motility and it was again confirmed that Oregano may help to enhance male fertility by increasing sperm motility. In both studies, Oregano’s powerful antioxidant properties were believed to be the reason for this outcome.

•  A 2011 study examined the ability of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil to improve reproduction potential in subjects with infertility issues. Satureja khuzestanica is a type of Savory related to Mountain Savory, commonly used in the Middle East for its many medicinal properties. Application of Satureja khuzestanica essential oil on subjects with infertility revealed improvements in conception.
  

• In 2017, another study on Satureja khuzestanica essential oil and fertility was performed, this time on subjects with ovarian failure caused by taking busulfan–a chemotherapy drug. Satureja khuzestanica again positively impacted the subject’s ability to conceive. This outcome was linked to the essential oil’s antioxidant properties. 

Along with Oregano and Mountain Savory, other antioxidant-rich essential oils which may improve your ability to conceive include:

• Lemongrass oil

• Clove oil

• Cinnamon Bark oil

• Lemon oil

• Tea Tree oil

• Frankincense oil

We recommend inhaling these oils using a diffuser or personal pocket inhaler, as well as eating foods with antioxidants and reducing your exposure to pollutants.

Another way to increase your chances of becoming pregnant is to stay stress-free. Stress can cause a variety of health issues, so it’s best to nip it in the bud as best as you can. And remember, your fertility journey might be a long one, but don’t let this discourage you. You’ll become pregnant when the time is right, so stay positive and push on. 

And on those days you start to feel stress creep up on you, enjoy these soothing essential oils which double as an aphrodisiac and may help to balance hormone levels:

• Ylang Ylang essential oil 

• Geranium essential oil

• Lavender oil

• Sweet Marjoram essential oil

• Vetiver essential oil

• Rosemary essential oil
  
  

Fertility Essential Oil Blend

From comforting and uplifting to adding spiciness to a couple’s relationship, essential oils are a great addition to one’s fertility journey. We had all of these aspects in mind when we developed this supportive fertility blend. Try adding it to your daily regimen and remember to stay positive because good things are in store. 

• 35 drops Clary Sage essential oil

• 25 drops Cistus essential oil

• 24 drops Geranium essential oil

• 21 drops Rose Otto essential oil

• 20 drops Fennel essential oil

To a 5 ml bottle, add the oils above. Beverly Hawkins suggests adding pre-pregnancy oils to a lotion base or carrier such as Fractionated Coconut Oil and use it in a fertility massage. Apply the lotion or massage oil to the lower back, abdomen and inner thighs. A 2-3% dilution rate, applied twice a day is recommended.

We’re Here For You

Whether you're just starting your fertility journey, or have been traveling this road for some time, we’re here for you! We offer blends like Gal Pal and PMS Ease to aid hormone balance, Uplift and Good Mood to boost positivity as well as Aphrodisiac and Aromance to make trying to conceive enjoyable and fun. Whatever your needs, we have the tools you need to succeed and look forward to what’s to come for you.  

Sources:

1. Galan, Nicole. “Healthline.” How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Pregnant, 22 July 2019, www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/how-to-increase-chances-of-getting-pregnant.

2. Jha, Praveen. “Follicular Monitoring | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.Org.” Radiopaedia, radiopaedia.org/articles/follicular-monitoring?lang=us. Accessed 2 Feb. 2021.

3. Romito, Kathleen. “Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting | Michigan Medicine.” Michigan Medicine: University Of Michigan, 8 Oct. 2020, www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hw202058.

4. Eberhardt-Smith, Alecia. “Lube and Fertility: Can Lube Impact Your Chances of Conceiving?” Extend Fertility, 24 Nov. 2020, extendfertility.com/lube-fertility.

5. MayoClinic. “Infertility - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 25 July 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354317.

6. Mbaye, Modou M. “The Effect of Supplementation with Some Essential Oils on the Mobility and the Vitality of Human Sperm.” PubMed Central (PMC), May 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6537008.

7. Mbaye, Modou. “Effect of Origanum Vulgare Essential Oil Supplementation on the Advanced Parameters of Mobility and on the Integrity of Human Sperm DNA.” Hindawi, 13 May 2020, www.hindawi.com/journals/ijrmed/2020/1230274.

8. Safarnavadeh, Tahereh. “Antioxidants and Infertility Treatment, the Role of Satureja Khuzestanica: A Mini-Systematic Review.” PubMed, Mar. 2011, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25587249.

9. Ahmadi, Abbas. “Effect of Satureja Khuzestanica Essential Oil against Fertility Disorders Induced by Busulfan in Female Mice.” PubMed, Dec. 2017, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29326785.