The uterus is an important organ for someone who would like to become pregnant and have children. Thus, it is important to nourish yourself from the inside out. Eating foods that promote uterine health is not something to overlook. Eating too much unhealthy food means the body will not have all the nutrients it needs. Read more to learn how food can maintain uterine health.
Foods and Uterus
Caring for your health, whether your body or your uterus, involves more than regular exercise. Choosing the right foods is also important. Foods that are best for the uterus include fruits and vegetables and foods high in fiber, dairy products, deep sea fish, and various grains and nuts. Avoid fermented foods, fried foods, dessert, food that is too sweet or too salty, and high-fat foods. Also avoid drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes.
Top 10 Foods for Healthy Uterus
1. Oysters are full of zinc that stimulates production of high-quality eggs. If you’re struggling to become pregnant and wondering what to eat, consider adding oysters to your diet.
2. Salmon is a source of protein and Omega-3. Good fatty acids support reproductive hormones and keep bowel movements healthy.
3. Pumpkin seeds are high in iron that is more easily absorbable than iron in meat products. Iron strengthens the uterus and is an excellent food choice when preparing to become pregnant.
4. Berries are full of antioxidants that protect cells from damage. They also improve the efficiency of the reproductive system. Berries are highly beneficial in preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
5. Eggs are a source of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin D, calcium, and iron—all nutrients that are essential for the body. They are important for brain health, decrease diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and control blood cholesterol levels when the appropriate amount is consumed.
If you are planning to become pregnant, eating one egg a day, especially duck egg, helps prepare your egg for pregnancy. Eggs are an easy and important food for preparing for pregnancy.
6. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant and prevents the formation of melanin, minimizing dark spots on the skin and helping skin look healthy. Tomatoes help balance the body and prepares the ovaries for pregnancy.
7. Drinking soy milk daily increases the chances of becoming pregnant because it is a good source of protein that nourishes the tissues of the body. It also brightens the skin, supports brain health, and improves memory.
Drinking soy milk in the first trimester of pregnancy meets protein recommendations and reduces the risk of dairy allergy in the baby.
8. Milk is a source of calcium appropriate for someone who doesn’t ovulate regularly, especially women who are underweight.
9. Spinach is high in folate, which prevents disabilities in the fetus during pregnancy and stimulates the body to become pregnant more easily. Eating leafy greens daily provides adequate fiber and prevents problems with bowel movements.
10. Legumes like soybeans, red beans, broad beans, winged beans, and green beans are a good source of protein that can replace meat. Research shows that women who get their protein from legumes have a higher chance of pregnancy than those who get their protein from meat. If you are planning to become pregnant, eat plenty of legumes rather than meat.
Food to Avoid if You Have Uterine Fibroids
Endometritis is inflammation of the uterus and is commonly found in women of reproductive age. It is a bacterial infection that travels from the vagina into the uterus. Causes of endometritis include sexually transmitted infection, postpartum infection, dilation and curettage (D&C), and intrauterine device (IUD). Avoid the following if you have inflammation of the uterus:
- Coconut water is considered a “favorite” of bacteria that speeds up their reproduction and improves their function. If you have problems with the uterus, don’t drink coconut water.
- Fermented foods also speed up the function of bacteria and causes vaginal discharge that is discolored and has an unpleasant smell.
- High-fat foods stimulate the growth of tumors and cysts in the uterus and ovaries.
Other Ways to Keep Your Uterus Healthy
1. Daily Exercise
Exercise is an essential part of health. Exercise also strengthens the uterus. Recommended exercises include swimming, yoga, and aerobic exercises as well as pelvic floor exercises. Hold a pelvic floor contraction for 5 seconds and relax for 5. Do this often as convenient.
2. Massage
Massage the uterus to improve blood circulation to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, and increase oxygen in the bloodstream to strengthen the uterus. This helps the uterus prepare to accommodate an embryo after the egg is fertilized.
When the fallopian tubes move well, the chances of sperm fertilizing the egg in the fallopian tube increases. Massage also helps the uterus shed its lining better, decreases menstrual pain, and efficiently removes toxins and retained contents from the uterus.
3. Avoid becoming sick
Avoid becoming sick by undergoing annual health screenings and internal exams as some diseases may not have symptoms in the early stages, and only become obvious as they are more severe, when they are harder to treat. Health screenings usually check for the following:
- Cervical cancer
- Vaginal infection, whether fungal or bacterial
- Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, trichomoniasis, or HPV
- Diagnose and find the cause of abnormal vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharge, uterine and ovary tumors, uterine prolapse, and pelvic and back pain
- Assessment before birth control, such as intrauterine device (IUD)
- Screening in early pregnancy to assess fetal health, discover any risk factors, and preventing disease
Conclusion
Eating foods to support uterine health is just one part of preparing the uterus and the body for pregnancy. However, even if you do everything to take care of your body and uterus, there is no guarantee that you will become pregnant.
If you have tried to become pregnant naturally for more than 1 year, please see a doctor for a thorough assessment to find out why you are not getting pregnant and what treatment options are most appropriate for you.
If you have any questions, please drop by Beyond IVF for a consultation or add us on Line at @beyondivf.