Top 5 Fertility-Boosting Foods
Nourishing your body with the right foods can support hormone balance, egg and sperm quality and a healthy reproductive system.
Here are the top 5 foods to include:
- Avocado: rich in healthy fats and support balanced hormones.
- Salmon: packed with omega-3s which improve blood flow to reproductive organs.
- Leafy vegetables: high in folate, essential for egg development and early pregnancy.
- Eggs: a great source of choline and protein for healthy cell growth.
- Berries: filled with antioxidants which protects eggs and sperm from oxidative stress.
Small everyday choices can make a huge difference.
NOW-fertility
‘Nourish Your Fertility’ Offer
Every fertility journey is unique—so should your nutrition be. With our exclusive offer, receive customised nutritional advice that complements your treatment and gives you the best possible support on the path to parenthood.
From 01/11/25 – 31/12/25, each patient booking an initial consultation with one of our fertility consultants will be eligible for a complimentary online session with Stephanie Rahmeh, Founder of Brassica Nutrition Clinic (@brassicanutrition).
Patient Story
Egg Freezing
Nora, 38, from Switzerland, single
Nora enquired about egg freezing with NOW-fertility and her initial consultation took place just days later. She chose the clinic in Barcelona from our network, with all her monitoring scans and blood tests conveniently done in Geneva where she lives.
One day before her egg collection, Nora flew to Barcelona. After the procedure at our partner clinic, 8 eggs were successfully frozen for her future use. She is now considering a further cycle to bank even more eggs.
Dr Nicolas Darazi
Ask the Experts
Navigating the holiday season with infertility
The holiday season is upon us, and while it can often be a beautiful time of year, it can also be deeply painful when you are living with infertility.
Nearly every message you see on both social and traditional media seems tailored to the family with such an emphasis on children. If you want to go to the mall to do some Christmas shopping you cannot avoid a Santa’s Grotto for the little ones. When you are struggling to conceive it can be so very difficult. Perhaps you are remembering magical Christmas traditions from your childhood and you can’t escape how you have fantasised about carrying them on with your own children, or maybe you cringe at reading yet another Facebook post about someone complaining about how they have to come up with another “Elf on the Shelf” scenario for their kids and would do anything for a problem like that.
The holiday season can be so triggering. As you go through the world and everything you see shouts at you that you are supposed to be a parent it can be so hard to find hope and joy.
Christmas often plays such a big part of how we imagine parenthood will be. We may try to strategise about how we will handle the holiday season and it is important to remember that you may be experiencing genuine grief as you face it without the child you have been dreaming of.
There is no right or wrong way to navigate that but here are a few tips to help you get through it.
Limit social media. So much of the holiday noise is online. People share their picture perfect family moments, and sometimes it can feel like salt in a wound. Give yourself permission to mute accounts, step away, or take a full break. If you do log on, be sure you are aware of your emotional bandwidth and be gentle with yourself if you decide that you cannot engage with it for a while. People will either understand or not even notice. You can also choose to create new grown-up traditions. A beautiful dinner out. A cosy film night. Candlelight and hot chocolate. Moments that bring comfort rather than comparison.
Decide your “yes” and “no” ahead of time. It is much easier to honour your limits if you set them before emotions are running high. Be selective about what you attend, and do not feel guilty about saying no to gatherings that feel tense or heavy. This is a season that already carries enough weight. You are allowed to choose ease.
Share your feelings with one safe person. Carrying all of this alone makes it heavier. Choose one friend, partner, or family member you trust. Tell them where you are emotionally before the gatherings begin. Having one person in the room who already understands gives you a place to rest, and a plan to step away if you need to.
As the lights twinkle and the world speeds toward celebration, know that if you are hurting you are not alone. Many of us have walked through holidays with a heart that was breaking. May you find small glimmers of joy this Holiday Season. And may you remember that your story is not finished yet.
Cassie Destino
@ivfsupportuae
Fertility Tests:
Understanding fertility through blood tests
Blood tests are quick and easy, yet they reveal a lot about your fertility.
For women, measuring progesterone during your period can show whether you’re ovulating.
If your cycles are irregular, your doctors may test gonadotrophins, hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Blood tests also assess your ovarian reserve and overall reproductive health. Key tests include:
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Stimulates egg production
- AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone): Indicates your potential egg count
- LH (Luteinising Hormone): Triggers ovulation
- Oestradiol: Starts the reproductive cycle
- TSH & FT4: Check thyroid function, which affects fertility
Blood tests can reveal information about male fertility by measuring key hormones:
- FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Regulates sperm production; high levels may signal the testes are struggling, while low levels can affect sperm maturation.
- LH (Luteinising Hormone): Stimulates testosterone production, essential for sperm development.
- Testosterone (Total and Free): Crucial for sexual function and sperm production.
- Prolactin: Elevated levels can impact testicular function and may indicate a pituitary issue.
- Other hormones: Depending on results, doctors may also check thyroid hormones (free T4) or cortisol.
These simple tests provide valuable insight into your reproductive health and help guide next steps.
Spotlight
Fertility Treatment in London
The UK offers a supportive, well-regulated, and inclusive environment for individuals and couples from around the world seeking fertility treatment.
Whether you’re a married or unmarried couple, a single woman, or a same-sex couple, our London clinic provides both non-anonymous and known egg and sperm donor options — all within a trusted, well-regulated system.
Full list of treatments available with NOW-fertility in London:
Enhance your visit to London with our Concierge & Lifestyle Services
- Assistance with travel plans and visa applications
- Accommodation booking
- Chauffeur services
- Restaurant reservations
- Exclusive tickets for events and bespoke experiences
- Access to spa and beauty treatments
- Private entertainment
- Personal shopping
For more information please click here.
Events & Activities
PCOS To Pregnancy
A 21 day programme for women with PCOS trying to conceive. It launches in January, and is operating a waitlist with doors opening 1st December. Those on the waitlist get first access, and an exclusive bonus.
Here is a link to the programme and details of how to join the the waitlist:
Julia Young
BA (Hons), DipION, mBANT, mCNHC
Registered Nutritional Therapist | Fertility Specialist
Elli Junior Design
Elli Junior Design specialises in bespoke nursery interiors crafted to be safe, functional and beautiful. Rooted in Scandinavian principles and child-development research, we create nurturing spaces where little ones can grow, learn and dream. All designs are custom-made in Dubai using premium materials and non-toxic finishes, ensuring style meets safety at every step. From concept to installation, we tailor every detail to your space, lifestyle and budget — bringing warm, purposeful and timeless nurseries to life across the UAE.
Special Offer
Special offer for ‘Fertility Focus’ readers – 50% off the design fee. Please call Customer Service on +971 58 826 1293 and quote ‘NOW-fertility 50’.
Elli Kasbi
Founder & Owner of Elli Junior
Contributors Panel
Cassie Destino
Founder of IVF Support UAE
- cassie@ivfsupportuae.com
- www.ivfsupportuae.com
- @ivfsupportuae
Claire Innes
Fertility & Nutrition Coach
- claire@thefertilitymentor.org.uk
- www.thefertilitymentor.org.uk
- @thereal.fertilitymentor
Mel Johnson
Solo Parenthood Coach, Founder of The Stork and I
- mel@thestorkandi.com
- www.thestorkandi.com
- @the_stork_and_I
Elli Kasbi
Founder & Owner of Elli Junior
- elli@ellijunior.com
- www.ellijunior.com
- @ellijunior
Tina Padia
Fertility Coach
- tina@tinafertilitycoach.com
- www.tinafertilitycoach.com
- @tinafertilitycoach.com
Hannah Pearn
Fertility Acupuncturist
- hello@hannahpearn.com
- www.hannahpearn.com
- @hannahpearnacupuncture.com
Ian Stones
Co-founder and co-director testhim
- info@testhim.com
- testhim.com
- @testhimltd
Stephanie Toulemonde
Emotional Coach
- info@stephanietoulemonde.com
- www.stephanietoulemonde.com
- @stephanie_toulemonde_coaching
Julia Young
Registered Nutritional Therapist | Fertility ~ PCOS ~ IVF
- info@juliayoungnutrition.com
- juliayoungnutrition.com
- @juliayoungnutrition
We hope you enjoyed this month’s Fertility Focus.
