INFERTILITY

■ Switch to herbal teas: Studies have suggested that caffeine can prevent an egg from maturing properly, and since a less mature egg may not fertilise successfully, this can affect the chances of falling pregnant.

■ Try natural pain remedies:

Some over-the-counter pills, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, can affect conception if taken around the time of ovulation. They may suppress hormones called prostaglandins, which help release eggs into the Fallopian tube.

■ Book a beach holiday: Exposure to sunlight and vitamin D can boost the chances of conception by as much as a third, say Belgian scientists. And an Italian study revealed that sperm is twice as active in sunny July and August compared to January.

■ Don’t over-exercise: “This may send signals to the brain that we are under stress, which in turn may slow or even shut down the reproductive organs temporarily,” warns Sandra Greenbank, nutritional therapist and fertility specialist. Men who have frequent, intense exercise schedules, as opposed to those who exercise more moderately three times a week, can have lower quality sperm. “Try yoga, Pilates and swimming instead of spinning or running long distances.”

■ Wear boxers: Tight clothing around the testes can increase the temperature in the region. But even small increases can cause problems for sperm quality, as the ideal temperature for sperm production is about 1-2C lower than body temperature. And don’t keep your laptop on your lap or mobile phone in your trouser pocket.

■ Try oysters: They’re a great source of zinc which has been shown to increase testosterone levels, a hormone which is very important when it comes to sperm count and sperm motility.