At OVUM, we know that when you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you focus a lot on supplementation, nutrients, and eating well. But another essential factor that often gets overlooked is good old H2O. Let’s break down why staying hydrated is a game-changer for your fertility journey and not just your overall health.

How to know you’re hydrated?

We all know that vitamins and minerals are crucial when TTC, but did you know that your body needs plenty of water to effectively use these nutrients? Water plays a vital role in digestion, temperature regulation, chemical balance, and nutrient transportation. Your joints’ cartilage contains 70%–80% water, ensuring that when you’re well-hydrated, your bones are cushioned. Without proper hydration, your body can’t function optimally, and funnily enough that includes the reproductive system.

So, how do you ensure you're hydrated? Aim to drink at least six cups of water a day. A good indicator of proper hydration is clear or light yellow urine with little to no odour. If you’re not feeling overly thirsty, that’s a positive sign too.

The Impact of Hydration on your Body Temperature

Did you know that heat can mess with your body more than you might think? For starters, when it’s hot out, it can actually make it hard to think straight because the heat affects your brain. Plus, when your body heats up, your blood pressure can drop, leaving you feeling dizzy and exhausted. To cool down, your body starts sweating, which is great, but there’s a catch—you’ve gotta drink plenty of water to replace what you’ve lost, or you could end up dehydrated. So, let’s make sure we stay cool and hydrated, okay?

The Role of Electrolytes in Hydration

Hydration isn’t just about drinking water. Your body also needs electrolytes—minerals like potassium, magnesium, and sodium—to maintain fluid balance and ensure that water gets to the cells and tissues that need it most. These minerals are crucial for your body’s ability to use water effectively.

Purified or filtered water might not always contain these essential electrolytes. While removing impurities from your drinking water (Brita fans unite) is important, ensure you’re getting enough electrolytes from your diet or supplements. A balanced diet and a good supplement can help keep everything in check, especially when preparing for conception and pregnancy.

Hydration and Fertility: It’s A Team Effort

Staying hydrated is vital for all parties involved when trying to conceive. Proper hydration supports sperm health, and volume, and can even impact erections. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to less active sperm and reduced fertility potential.

For those whose sex was recorded female at birth, hydration also affects everything from vaginal moisture to cervical mucus consistency, both of which are crucial for conception. Dehydration can lead to less fertile cervical mucus and may even impact ovulation by altering follicular fluid. Electrolyte imbalances can cause changes to follicular fluid, making ovulation more difficult. 

Recognising and Addressing Dehydration

It’s important to recognise the signs of dehydration. If your urine is dark and strong-smelling or if you feel thirsty, these could be red flags. Other symptoms include dry mouth, fatigue, and infrequent urination. Severe dehydration can cause more serious symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or a rapid heartbeat, which require immediate medical attention.

To rehydrate, start by drinking water and consider an electrolyte drink if needed. Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, as they can worsen dehydration. If you’re concerned about your hydration levels, consulting with a healthcare provider is always a good idea.

Who’s at Risk of Dehydration?

Some people are more prone to dehydration than others. Infants, the elderly, athletes, and individuals with certain health conditions like diabetes or kidney issues are at higher risk. For these groups, staying hydrated is especially important as dehydration can negatively affect fertility, our menstrual cycle and overall health.

Key Takeaways on Hydration:

• Proper hydration is essential for your body to use nutrients effectively.

• Electrolytes help your body balance fluids and are crucial for fertility.

• Clear or light yellow urine is a sign of good hydration.

• Hydration supports sperm health, vaginal moisture, and follicular growth.

• Recognise and treat dehydration early to avoid complications.

Keep your water intake up, maintain a good balance of electrolytes, and you’ll support your body in all the right ways as you work towards conception. Keep that emotional support water bottle close by.