7 Lifestyle Habits That May Boost Fertility Odds

Couples trying to conceive often discover that pregnancy is far from guaranteed even under ideal conditions. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, healthy heterosexual couples in their 20s to early 30s who have regular, unprotected sex have only a 25% to 30% chance of getting pregnant in any given month.

Reproductive endocrinologist Lucky Sekhon says many factors influence those odds, including medical history, genetics, hormone balance, timing — and chance.

"Trying to get pregnant is like playing a slot machine," Sekhon said. "You can pull the lever by timing your attempts around ovulation, but whether things line up and you hit the jackpot are not in your control."

Still, Sekhon and other experts say there are lifestyle changes both men and women can make that may improve fertility. These include getting regular exercise and cutting out cannabis, nicotine and alcohol, according to NPR's Life Kit, which compiled seven evidence-backed habits that may help boost the chances of conception.

The recommendations were reported by Life Kit's Andee Tagle, who also hosted a companion podcast episode exploring the science behind fertility in greater depth. NPR illustrator LA Johnson created a comic version of the guidance, aimed at making the information more accessible to readers navigating the often stressful process of trying to conceive.

Experts caution that no lifestyle change guarantees pregnancy, since factors like age, underlying health conditions and genetics remain outside a person's control. But making choices that support overall reproductive health — rather than hinder it — can improve the odds over time, according to the report.

Listeners can find the full 26-minute Life Kit episode on fertility on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and NPR is inviting audience questions and feedback via voicemail or email as part of its ongoing health coverage.