Sauna and Fertility: Can You Infrared Sauna While Pregnant?

For millennia people have used sauna benefits to enhance their health and well-being. Nowadays, infrared saunas are becoming more popular as they provide even more health benefits. But can using an infrared sauna help you get pregnant? L find out!

How Can an Infrared Sauna Help Improve Fertility?

Fertility is the ability to have children. When a couple is trying to conceive, infertility may be diagnosed if they are not able to get pregnant. There are many causes of infertility, and it can affect either the man or woman. In many cases, there is no clear cause for infertility.

An infrared sauna can help improve fertility by increasing blood flow, reducing stress and fatigue, and promoting detoxification.

All of these things are important for fertility. The increased flow of blood can help to improve the function of the reproductive organs, while the reduced stress and fatigue can help to improve overall health and increase the chances of getting pregnant.

The detoxification process can also help to remove toxins from the body that may be interfering with fertility.

What Are Some Common Causes of Infertility?

Some of the most common causes of infertility include:

• Problems with the woman's ovaries, such as not releasing eggs (ovulating) or having problems with the hormones that control ovulation
• blocked fallopian tubes
• endometriosis- a condition where tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of the uterus
• uterine fibroids- benign tumours in the uterus
• sperm problems in the man, such as low sperm count or poor sperm quality

Is Infertility Common?

Yes, infertility is common. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 11% of women in the United States aged 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term in the year 2013. Also, roughly 20% of all infertility cases in couples originate from men, according to a WebMD article in 2017.

Can You Improve Fertility?

There are many ways to improve fertility, including making changes to your diet and lifestyle, taking supplements, and using fertility treatments. Some people also turn to acupuncture or infrared saunas to improve their chances of getting pregnant.

How Does Increased Blood Flow Help Reproductive Organs?

In order for an organ to function properly, it needs oxygen. When the body is stressed, it can be difficult for the organs to get the oxygen they need.

This can lead to problems with fertility.

The use of an infrared sauna can increase blood flow to improve the function of the reproductive organs by bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to them.

This can help to improve the function of the organs and increase the chances of getting pregnant, however, further research into increased circulation and fertility is needed.

An increase in the flow of blood can also help to improve the function of the reproductive organs in men, just as it does in women. In men, this can help to improve sperm count and quality although there is limited studies are needed to determine this.

How Does Stress Effect Fertility?

Stress can affect fertility in a number of ways. For women, stress can cause problems with ovulation and lead to infertility. For men, stress can reduce sperm count and quality.

Stress can also cause problems with implantation and increase the risk of miscarriage. In addition, stress can have a negative effect on overall health and well-being, which can make it more difficult to conceive. Women who were depressed were twice as likely to be infertile, according to research.

Infrared saunas benefit stress relief and improve relaxation, providing a great tool for lowering cortisol levels.

How Do Heavy Metals and Toxins Effect Fertility?

There is some evidence that toxins and heavy metals can cause infertility. Toxins and heavy metals can interfere with the function of the reproductive organs and can also cause sperm problems.

In addition, toxins and heavy metals can have a negative effect on overall health and well-being, which can make it more difficult to conceive.

A 2022 study found that toxins and heavy metals such as lead and cadmium are toxins that target female reproductive organs. Infrared saunas help promote detoxification, the process to remove heavy metal toxins from the body that may be interfering with fertility.

Heavy metals and toxins can also affect newborn babies. Toxins and heavy metals can interfere with the development of the baby and can cause neurological problems during the development stages of birth.

Can You Sauna While Pregnant?

No, you cannot sauna while pregnant. While there are very few studies on this topic specifically, what we know during pregnancy is any high core body temperature changes need to be avoided.

Can You Sauna While Breastfeeding?

No, you should not sauna while breastfeeding. This is due to the reasons similar to detoxification sauna benefits. Again, there is very little evidence, or studies, to suggest this, but in this case, it’s best to be safe.

What is a Successful Pregnancy?

There is no one definition of a successful pregnancy. Every individual and every pregnancy is unique. However, some common factors that may contribute to a successful pregnancy include:

• Healthy lifestyle habits, including diet and exercise
• Receiving regular prenatal care, including checkups and screenings
• Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other drugs
• Getting enough rest and sleep
• Managing stress levels
  

Proper care of yourself before, during and post pregnancy will ensure the best possible outcome for fertility in the long run, and infrared saunas health benefits are a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle in before and after this cycle.

What are the Risks Associated With Using an Infrared Sauna for Fertility?

For men, there is some concern that infrared sauna use may lower sperm count, and for women that dehydration may affect the uterus walls, however, small studies suggest that sauna bathing does not influence fertility. Commonly associated risks are:

• Increased heart rate
• Risk of dehydration
• Exposure to heat and humidity

How Does Body Temperature Effect Fertility?

The heat from an infrared sauna can affect male fertility in a few ways. First, exposure to high temperatures can reduce sperm count and motility.

Additionally, the heat can damage sperm cells, leading to reduced fertility. Finally, the heat can also lead to inflammation and oxidative stress in the testes, both of which can reduce fertility.

While studies have found that an initial drop in sperm count for men is evident with sauna bathing, these results are quickly reversible with a break in sauna exposure.

If you are trying to conceive, it may be best to avoid using an infrared sauna for a week or two before trying to conceive. How hot you should have your sauna will also impact these results, with infrared sauna temperatures being much lower than traditional saunas, allowing for less impact on sperm count.

How Does Heart Rate Effect Fertility?

An increased heart rate can raise the body's core temperature, which could potentially reduce fertility.

Raising the core temperature can increase heat exposure because an increased heart rate can raise the body's core temperature, which could potentially reduce fertility.

In addition, an increased heart rate can also increase the risk of dehydration, which is not good for fertility.

How Does Dehydration Affect Fertility?

Dehydration can lower fertility for several reasons. First, dehydration can interfere with the production of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which are essential for ovulation and fertilisation.

Additionally, dehydration can cause the uterine lining to thin, making it more difficult for an embryo to implant. Finally, dehydration can also lead to a decrease in blood circulation to the reproductive organs, which can reduce fertility. How much water you should drink after a sauna session to avoid dehydration is at least 1.5 times the amount of water lost in litres.

How to Avoid Infrared Sauna Fertility Risks

When using an infrared sauna for fertility purposes, it is important to take certain precautions:

• Make sure to drink plenty of fluids before and after infrared sauna use to avoid dehydration.
• Do not use an infrared sauna if you are pregnant or have a heart condition.
• Always use an infrared sauna in a safe and comfortable environment, with plenty of water and ventilation available.
• Do not stay in an infrared sauna for more than 20 minutes at a time.
• Be aware of any potential risks associated with infrared sauna use, and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects.

What are Some Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Infrared Sauna Sessions when Trying to Improve Fertility?

Saunas in general are good and can help improve overall health. Infrared saunas specifically are good for fertility because they can help to improve blood flow, reduce stress and fatigue, and promote detoxification - all with lower risks than a traditional sauna.

What Type of Infrared Sauna Therapy is Ideal for Fertility?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer - for each individual will vary depending on their specific situation. However, some general FAQs for improving fertility through infrared sauna therapy are:

• Using an infrared sauna regularly improves blood flow and reduces stress levels.
• Ensuring that your infrared sauna sessions are not too long or too frequent, as overdoing it can actually be counterproductive.
• Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after infrared sauna sessions to stay hydrated.
• Consult with a healthcare professional to discuss whether infrared sauna treatments are right for you and to get advice on how to best use them for fertility purposes.

How Long Should You Use an Infrared Sauna for Fertility Therapy each Day/Week/Month etc.?

Just like above, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and it is important to talk to your doctor or health care provider to figure out what works best for you.

As a general rule for infrared sauna health benefits, it is recommended to do infrared sauna therapy for at least 20 minutes per day, 3-4 times per week.

However, how long you should stay in a sauna and whether you should sauna daily or not will depend on your own level of health and lifestyle.

This provides the optimal amount of health benefits that are associated with supporting fertility. With regular 20-minute sessions, you'll lose weight, improve your cardiovascular health, lower stress and promote healthy hormone activity, and detoxify toxins and heavy metals - all by sitting still!

For men, the same applies, however, before conceiving it's best to give yourself a week or two breaks of infrared sauna therapy to reverse any effects that heat exposure may have on your overall sperm count.

What's Better for Fertility, Infrared Light Therapy, Red Light Therapy or Traditional Sauna?

Sexual health is important for fertility because it means that your body is healthy and working correctly.

This includes having a regular menstrual cycle, not being too tired, and not being stressed. Both the reproductive system of men and women are critical for fertility.

This might look like healthy egg quality and healthy sperm production.

Infrared saunas vs red light therapy or traditional saunas all promote healing and a variety of health benefits - yet also cause negative effects when it comes to fertility. Let's weigh up the pros and cons...

Can Infrared Therapy Cause Male Infertility?

One of the most common causes of infertility is poor sperm health. This might be due to a low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology. Other causes of male infertility can include:

• Varicocele: a varicose vein in the scrotum that can cause overheating and damage to the testicles, leading to decreased production and quality.
• Environmental toxins: include heavy metals like lead and mercury, which can damage the reproductive system and decrease production.
• Hormonal imbalances: including low testosterone levels or high levels of prolactin.
  

Infrared light, however, has a long history of supporting male fertility through the list of health benefits it provides.

How can Red Light Therapy Support Fertility?

There is some preliminary evidence that red light therapy may be beneficial for female reproductive health.

‍One study showed that red light therapy was able to improve the function of the ovaries and increase the number of healthy eggs in women undergoing IVF treatment.

The study showed that 21% of infertile couples were able to fall pregnant naturally after the treatment of low-level laser therapy.

For men, there is limited research on the effects of red light therapy on sperm count, but some studies suggest that it may be helpful to improve sperm quality by reducing oxidative stress and increasing energy production.

It's important to keep in mind that more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of improving sperm count.

What are the Detrimental Effects of the Traditional sauna?

There are some potential negative effects of sauna use during pregnancy.

Sauna use can raise body temperature and blood pressure, and it's important to avoid any increase in these risks during pregnancy.

Additionally, sauna use can cause dehydration, so women should drink plenty of fluids before and after sauna sessions.

Finally, saunas can also release toxins into the body, so pregnant women should be careful not to overdo it with sauna sessions.

Infrared saunas, in general, have many health benefits and when using them for fertility purposes, it is important to take certain precautions.

We recommend not to use the sauna if you are pregnant or have a heart condition; and always use the sauna in a safe and comfortable environment, with plenty of water available.

If you're interested in utilising infrared saunas to support your fertility journey, take a look at our range of full-spectrum infrared saunas, far-infrared saunas and outdoor infrared saunas.