Yoga and Exercise for Infertility

Yoga and exercise do not unblock tubes or correct sperm problems, but they may reduce stress and support general health, which matters when trying to conceive.

What may help

• Gentle yoga a few times a week, such as cat-cow, bound angle pose (baddha konasana), supported bridge and child's pose
• Slow breathing (pranayama): belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing for 5 to 10 minutes
• Relaxation and meditation to ease the stress that can come with trying to conceive
• Walking, swimming or cycling: about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week

What to be careful with

• Very intense or excessive exercise, which can disturb periods and lower sperm quality in some people
• Hot yoga or long sessions of intense heat, especially for men
• Cycling for very long hours with a hard saddle, for men with fertility problems
• Strong abdominal pressure, deep twists and inversions during the fertile window if you may be pregnant. Check with your doctor

During fertility treatment or pregnancy

Ask your fertility specialist before starting or continuing any routine, especially after egg collection or embryo transfer.

What yoga cannot do

It cannot replace tests or treatment, and there is no pose that guarantees pregnancy.

Key point

Choose gentle, regular movement and calming practices, and continue medical evaluation.

Before your appointment

Come as a couple if you can. Note how long you have been trying, cycle length and regularity, past pregnancies, surgeries, infections and medicines. Bring past reports and, if available, a semen analysis. List supplements and herbs you take, along with smoking, alcohol and exercise habits. Ask about tests, treatment options, costs, success rates and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.