IVF Do's and Don'ts: Your Guide to Diet, Exercise, Sex & More

ByRohan Sharma
Updated: 4 Jun 2025, 2:27 pm

IVF can be a slightly complicated process, which is why it’s best to consult healthcare experts constantly. Healthcare professionals can help you prepare a diet chart and even recommend low-intensity workouts, which help increase IVF success rates. The healthcare experts provide diet recommendations that can boost fertility, increasing the chances of pregnancy through IVF.

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Once you plan to undergo the IVF cycle, make sure to prepare your body for it. The process can be complicated, and to make the process smooth, you might have specific lifestyle questions, too. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet may improve your IVF success rates.
In this article:

Before you undergo the cycle, it is common for you to have a lot of questions about what lifestyle and dietary changes to make in your life. If you are confused, it is essential to consult healthcare experts. The professionals can guide you through the entire process of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and dietary changes.

IVF: An Overview

IVF or in vitro fertilisation refers to the treatment process where eggs and sperm are fertilised outside the body in a laboratory. Once the eggs and sperm are fertilised, the embryo is placed into the uterus to allow it to implant and grow. IVF is a medically complex process that involves numerous processes like ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, and transfer of the fertilised embryo into the uterus.

Diet During IVF

Having a healthy and well-balanced diet is extremely crucial during the IVF cycle to ensure proper nutrition. What you eat during the IVF cycle can significantly impact your reproductive cycle. Therefore, it is suggested that you consult a healthcare expert to help you with a personalised diet plan.Before going for your IVF cycle, it is advisable to consume folic-rich food as it plays an essential role in increasing your chances of conception. However, the food requirements may vary depending on your personal dietary needs. Your healthcare expert can help you with the inclusions and exclusions, thereby preparing a proper plan for a healthy and nutritious diet during IVF.

  • Foods to eat

Choosing the right foods during your IVF treatment is crucial for dietary success and balanced nutrition. Here are some of the top foods to eat during the IVF cycle:
  • Folic acid lowers the risk of underdevelopment of the baby during pregnancy.
  • Zinc-rich foods boost the cell production of the fetus.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid foods to boost brain and vision development of the foetus.
  • Iron-rich foods for healthy placenta growth.
  • Magnesium-rich foods for maintaining hormonal balance.

  • Foods to avoid

It’s important to make smart food choices before and during your IVF cycle. Some foods might affect your treatment or overall health, so it’s best to avoid them or limit your intake. Here are some foods that are generally recommended to be avoided during an IVF cycle:
  • Processed foods
  • Carbonated drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Raw non-veg items
  • High-mercury fish
  • Cheese
  • Full-fat milk
  • Cigarettes
  • Excessive sugar
  • Processed meats
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Refined grains

Sex During IVF

Sex during IVF is considered to be safe, generally, especially in the stimulation phase. However, it is best to consult the healthcare professionals and follow the instructions. It is advisable to avoid sex during the days following embryo transfer and for some days after the transfer to increase the chances of conception without trouble.You can usually have sex during the early days of your IVF cycle if you use protection. However, if you are unsure about your ovulation, it may be best to avoid it for a while, as unprotected sex could increase the risk of multiple pregnancies.As the IVF cycle progresses, the ovaries may enlarge as they develop multiple follicles. Having intercourse during this time increases the risk of ovarian cysts rupturing or twisting due to changes in blood flow. Avoiding intercourse helps reduce the risk of complications, especially as egg retrieval approaches.

  • Dos

During the early stages of ovarian stimulation, sex is generally safe as your ovaries have not enlarged. However, as your treatment progresses, you may want to limit or avoid intercourse to reduce discomfort or the risk of complications.Your healthcare team might also recommend avoiding sex around egg retrieval and embryo transfer. If you do have unprotected sex during this time, there’s a chance of a natural pregnancy alongside your IVF, which could increase the likelihood of multiples. It’s best to discuss this with your doctor.

  • Fertility-boosting foods for men

You should prioritise your health over anything, which is why it is advisable to consume healthy foods. If you have been struggling with any male fertility issues, it is important that you make some changes to your diet. Your healthcare expert can recommend the foods and also provide a diet chart on what to consume. It is advisable to include all male fertility-boosting foods in your diet to overcome any complications. Some of the foods to include are as follows:
  • Pomegranates
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Salmon and Fatty fish
  • Nuts rich in Vitamin E and Omega-3 fatty acids
  • Citrus fruits

  • Fertility-boosting foods for women

The healthcare expert can provide specific guidelines about your diet before and during the IVF cycle to increase the conception success rate. It is advisable to follow the diet strictly to avoid any complications with your pregnancy cycle.The right dietary items contribute to your overall well-being and physical and mental health, which can help in increasing conception chances. Your body is prone to hormonal changes, and following the diet can be helpful, too. Below are the foods to consume for your successful IVF cycle:
  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Fatty fish
  • Lentils and legumes
  • Pomegranates
  • Avocado
  • Citrus fruits
  • Whole grains and quinoa

Don’ts

Healthcare professionals advise avoiding intercourse after embryo transfer to help the embryo implant in the uterus. The average duration for pelvic rest is between five days and two weeks. As for men, it is suggested that you abstain from ejaculation before the semen sample collection process. During the two-week wait period of the IVF cycle, it is advisable to avoid intercourse as the uterine contractions due to orgasms can affect implantation.

Exercise During IVF

Exercising during your IVF cycle can be an excellent practice for improving success rates. Since IVF is a very emotionally challenging process, it is pretty common to feel confused about what to do next, which can cause a lot of stress. Therefore, it is advisable to adopt practices that maintain your overall well-being, with exercise being one of them. While exercising is good, make sure to maintain moderation and consult your healthcare expert regularly to determine IVF success chances.

  • Types of exercises to do during IVF

The healthcare experts suggest avoiding high-intensity workouts during the IVF cycle. The low-intensity workouts can be good during the egg stimulation process. The healthcare experts often recommend the respective exercises depending on your health conditions and how well your body is responding to the IVF treatment. During the IVF cycle, healthcare professionals suggest exercising for only 30 minutes without using too intense movements. Some of the safe exercises that you can do during your IVF treatment are as follows:
  • Walking
  • Yoga
  • Swimming
  • Light weightlifting
  • Meditation

  • Precautions to take while exercising during IVF

If you are planning to go through the IVF cycle, it is crucial that you take care of your exercise routine. While staying healthy is essential, it is also crucial to be mindful of what you are practising and how. Some of the key precautions to take while exercising during IVF are as follows:
  • Do not engage in any high-impact exercises as they put extra stress on the body, increasing the risk of ovarian torsion.
  • Practice low-impact exercises such as walking, meditation, and yoga to keep yourself fit.
  • Take breaks between exercises to understand how your body is perceiving it.
  • Stay hydrated while exercising, else it might have a negative impact on the IVF cycle.
Consulting your healthcare professionals about exercises can help create a proper plan for exercising. During your entire IVF cycle, you may practice those to avoid significant damage to the body.

  • How do exercises help improve IVF?

Exercising regularly may improve your fertility, which eventually affects your IVF success rate. It helps to maintain blood flow in the body, manage excessive weight, and improve physical and mental well-being. It is crucial that you're mindful of the IVF stage before you indulge in any of the exercises. For example, during hormone injection or embryo transfer, healthcare experts recommend limiting physical activities.Here's how exercising can help improve the IVF success rate:

  • Improves hormonal balance

Regular exercise regulates your hormonal balance, which can be effective during ovulation.

  • Weight management

Weight Management is highly crucial to IVF success rates. Maintaining your weight helps boost fertility, thereby improving IVF success rates.

  • Improved egg quality

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by following a nutritious diet and exercising regularly helps to improve egg quality. This has a positive impact on the overall well-being.

  • Boosts circulation

Exercising regularly boosts blood flow and circulation in the body, which ensures adequate oxygen and nutrient delivery to the reproductive organs.

  • Overall well-being

Regular exercise can improve your overall well-being, both physical and mental. It helps to have a more positive outlook and experience for the entire IVF cycle.

  • Can you exercise after embryo transfer?

Yes. You can exercise after embryo transfer, but it is advisable to do safe and gentle exercises. If you're going to practice specific exercises, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals.Prioritising rest can be a great start. Apart from that, you can continue with various normal activities after embryo transfer, like yoga, meditation, and swimming. Healthcare experts often advise against practising any high-intensity exercises.

Sleep During IVF

It is advisable to get adequate sleep during your IVF cycle, especially to avoid the risk of any significant complications. Getting proper sleep during IVF maintains hormonal balance and ensures overall well-being. Thus, the chances of IVF success increase. Insufficient sleep during your IVF cycle has a negative outcome for IVF success. The healthcare experts often recommend getting around 7-8 hours of sleep during your cycle.

Lifestyle Changes to Adopt For IVF

The lifestyle changes that you include in your daily life have an impact on your IVF success rate. From following a healthy diet to maintaining a healthy weight, everything is crucial for IVF success. While undergoing the IVF cycle, get enough sleep and limit smoking and alcohol consumption. Some of the common lifestyle changes to adopt for the IVF cycle are as follows:

  • Maintain a healthy weight

It is advisable to maintain a healthy BMI, especially around the abdominal fat. Consulting healthcare professionals can help you get a personalised nutrition plan, especially for healthy weight management.

  • Stress management

Taking too much stress can have a negative impact on your IVF success rates. Practice stress management like meditation, yoga, mindfulness, reading, or spending time in nature.

  • Get enough sleep

During your IVF cycle, make sleep a priority and get around 7-8 hours of sleep every day. Sleep deprivation can negatively affect your hormones and reduce the chances of fertility success.

  • Avoid smoking and alcohol

Smoking and alcohol consumption have a negative impact on your body. It is best to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption during your IVF cycle. Furthermore, it is also advisable to limit your caffeine intake.

  • Use safe products

Whatever products you're using for skincare and reproductive healthcare, it is best that you use safe products. Using these safe and friendly products helps in avoiding toxins such as pesticides and BPA that have a negative impact on fertility.

Emotional Aspect of IVF

IVF can be an emotionally complex journey, and it’s important to recognise and manage the emotional strain that comes with it. From the excitement of starting the treatment to the anxiety of waiting for results, you might experience a range of emotions. The pressure to conceive, fear of failure, and hormonal changes can make the experience even more challenging. It’s essential to give yourself space to process these feelings. It’s best to reach out to healthcare professionals or seek counselling to help manage the emotional ups and downs. Talking to your partner or loved ones can also provide much-needed support.Remember, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, and taking care of your emotional health can benefit you during the process. Acknowledging your emotions and seeking help when needed can make a significant difference in navigating the emotional complexities of IVF.IVF can be a complicated process, emotionally and financially. Moreover, if you are not following a healthy lifestyle, it can take a toll on your physical health. Thus, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional at all points. The experts can guide you through the entire process while helping you follow the dos and don’ts. A healthy lifestyle and nutritious diet are the major requirements that can help you in the long run, not only during the IVF cycle but also after it. As a result, your chances of conception and IVF success rates increase.

FAQs on IVF Do's and Don'ts: Your Guide to Diet, Exercise, Sex & More

  1. What exercises should you avoid during IVF?During the IVF cycle, it is highly recommended to avoid any high-intensity or high-impact exercises like jumping, running, and intense cardio. These exercises put extra stress on the body, thereby disrupting the hormonal cycle.
  2. What should I avoid eating during IVF?During your IVF cycle, it is advisable to avoid foods that have a negative impact on fertility and IVF. Therefore, healthcare professionals often advise avoiding high-mercury fish, alcohol, excessive caffeine, and processed foods. They may also recommend limiting refined sugar, carbs, artificial sweeteners, and trans fat intake.
Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr Sapna Raina, Senior Consultant, Clinical Lead, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Narayana Health City, Bangalore