{"id":25108,"date":"2025-09-15T18:33:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T18:33:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/?p=25108"},"modified":"2026-01-09T18:23:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:23:45","slug":"the-importance-of-hydration-while-trying-to-conceive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progyny.com\/education\/trying-to-conceive\/the-importance-of-hydration-while-trying-to-conceive\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of hydration while trying to conceive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated by the Progyny Editorial Team \u2014 September 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written in collaboration with Progyny nutritionist, Sally Saleh Kia, MPH, RDN, IBCLC, MCHES<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydration plays a major role in supporting your overall health \u2014 from regulating body temperature, to protecting organs, to supporting digestion. It may come as no surprise, then, that hydration is also essential when you\u2019re trying to conceive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drinking enough fluids helps both ovaries and testes function properly. For people with ovaries, dehydration can change cervical mucus \u2014 the fluid that helps sperm travel to the fallopian tubes for fertilization. Cervical mucus can also be a helpful tool in predicting ovulation and timing sex to increase chances of pregnancy. When you\u2019re dehydrated, these functions may be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For people with testes, dehydration can lower semen volume and reduce sperm quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much fluid do you need?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hydration needs vary, but experts generally recommend about 12 cups of fluid per day for people with testes, and 9 cups for people with ovaries. Your needs may change based on exercise, weather, or health conditions. For example, if you have diarrhea, you\u2019ll need more fluids. Alcohol and caffeine can also affect hydration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of dehydration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing early symptoms can help you know when to drink more fluids. Common signs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n