From drinking cough syrup to holding your legs in the air, there are hundreds of weird and wonderful theories on how to boost your fertility.

While most of these old wives’ tales are nonsense, there are a number of natural ways to increase your chances of conceiving.

Speaking to Mirror Online, Dr Amin Gorgy, a Fertility Consultant at The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy, has revealed five natural ways to boost your fertility.

1. Stop smoking

Dr Gorgy advises that both the man and woman should stop smoking if you’re trying to conceive.

Ditch the cigarettes

He explained: “Smoking significantly increases the time it takes to get pregnant, and even passive smoking has a detrimental effect on both the male and female reproductive system, so it is best to avoid situations where you may be tempted to smoke or likely to intake large amounts of passive smoke.:

2. Reduce stress

Reducing stress may be easier said than done, but it can really help to boost your fertility.

Dr Gorgy said: “While stress affects everybody differently, in extreme circumstances it does have the potential to negatively impact the female reproductive system and can be associated with ‘lower fecundity’ or fertility potential.

Try yoga to reduce stress

“There are many ways to reduce stress, such as lessening your workload, meditating or finding a support network. These may aid you in your conception efforts.”

3. Cut back on alcohol

Drinking alcohol can reduce the chance of conception for women by over 50%, according to Dr Gorgy.

He added: “Even a moderate alcohol intake of five drinks or less per week may contribute to the risk of certain types of infertility.

“In men, excessive alcohol consumption interferes with hormone levels, affecting sperm quality and production.”

In men, excessive alcohol consumption interferes with hormone levels. Try a water instead

4. Exercise regularly

If you already love hitting the gym, you might be boosting your fertility without even knowing it.

Dr Gorgy said: “Exercising at an optimum rate for your body type and ability will help you become stronger, preparing your body for pregnancy, but excessive exercise can reduce the chance of regularly ovulating every month and hence lower the chances of conceiving, so exercise in moderation.”

5. Maintain a healthy diet

Finally, try to be wary about what you’re eating.

Dr Gorgy added: “Try to maintain a healthy diet with sufficient levels of potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium and vitamin D to help your chances of conception – for example, a well-balanced Mediterranean diet will fulfill your body’s requirements and these essential vitamins will aid your body in creating the optimum environment for a baby.”