For many women over 35, trying to conceive can feel like a mix of hope and heartbreak.
You’re doing everything right—eating well, tracking ovulation, taking prenatal vitamins—but sometimes, pregnancy still feels just out of reach.
But what if a simple, affordable medication could improve your chances?
Enter low-dose aspirin (LDA)—a well-studied, widely available option that may enhance fertility, improve implantation, and reduce miscarriage risk in certain women.
Let’s dive into the science behind how aspirin could help you on your journey to motherhood and why hope is still very much alive. 💕
What Is Low-Dose Aspirin and How Does It Work?
Low-dose aspirin (LDA), also known as “baby aspirin” (81 mg), is an anti-inflammatory medication typically used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. But in recent years, researchers have discovered its potential benefits for fertility and pregnancy—especially for women over 35.
How Can Aspirin Support Fertility?
✅ Improves blood flow to the uterus – Supports a thick, healthy uterine lining for implantation.
✅ Reduces inflammation – Helps regulate immune responses that could interfere with implantation.
✅ Prevents tiny blood clots – Essential for proper placental development, especially in women with clotting disorders.
✅ Lowers miscarriage risk – May reduce the likelihood of pregnancy loss in certain women.
If you’re over 35 and trying to conceive, aspirin might be a small yet powerful addition to your fertility toolkit.
1. Low-Dose Aspirin May Improve Implantation & Pregnancy Rates
As we age, blood flow to the uterus naturally decreases. This can make it harder for an embryo to implant successfully.
💡 Research shows that aspirin can improve uterine blood flow, creating a more favorable environment for implantation.
📌 Studies have found that women who took daily low-dose aspirin had higher pregnancy rates than those who didn’t [1].
🌿 What this means for you: If you’ve had chemical pregnancies, implantation failures, or thin uterine lining, aspirin may help improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.
2. Aspirin May Reduce the Risk of Early Miscarriage
One of the most devastating challenges in fertility is recurrent miscarriage—especially when doctors can’t pinpoint a clear cause.
🚨 Some miscarriages are linked to tiny blood clots forming in the placenta, preventing nutrients from reaching the baby.
💡 Studies suggest that aspirin can help prevent these clots, improving blood flow to the uterus and supporting early pregnancy development.
📌 Studies have found that women with a history of miscarriage who took aspirin had a higher chance of live birth compared to those who didn’t [2].
🌿 What this means for you: If you’ve experienced one or more miscarriages, low-dose aspirin may help sustain pregnancy and increase your chances of carrying to term.
3. Aspirin May Be Helpful for Women With Unexplained Infertility
If you’ve been trying for a baby for months (or years) with no clear explanation, aspirin might offer a simple, safe way to improve your chances.
📌 A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that aspirin increased pregnancy rates by 15% in women who had experienced prior pregnancy loss [3].
Why?
- Some cases of “unexplained infertility” may involve low-level inflammation or clotting issues that interfere with implantation.
- Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory properties may create a more hospitable environment for conception.
🌿 What this means for you: If you’ve had multiple failed cycles without clear reasons, aspirin could be an easy, low-cost option to try.
4. Aspirin Can Be Especially Helpful for Women With Certain Conditions
✅ Blood Clotting Disorders (Like APS or Factor V Leiden)
Some women have undiagnosed clotting disorders that increase miscarriage risk. Aspirin (sometimes combined with Heparin) can significantly reduce this risk.
✅ PCOS & Insulin Resistance
Women with PCOS or high insulin levels often have increased inflammation, which may impair implantation. Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory effects may help.
✅ Thin Uterine Lining
Aspirin improves blood flow to the uterus, which may support thicker endometrial growth—essential for implantation.
🌿 What this means for you: If you have a diagnosed condition or implantation concerns, talk to your doctor about aspirin as a possible option.
How to Take Low-Dose Aspirin for Fertility
When You’re Trying to Conceive:
💊 Start taking 81 mg of aspirin daily from cycle day 1 until a positive pregnancy test (unless your doctor advises otherwise – PLEASE consult with your doctor or health care providers BEFORE starting any new medications or treatments!).
When You Get Pregnant:
💊 Continue aspirin use through the first trimester (or as directed by your doctor) to support implantation and reduce miscarriage risk.
📌 Important: Not all women need aspirin! As I did, PLEASE talk to your doctor before starting, especially if you have any bleeding disorders.
What My OB Told Me: The Trifecta
My OB advised me that to get the maximum benefits of this regimen I should implement what she called the trifecta.
1) Aspirin(81 mg 3 months preconception until 20 weeks, then doubled the dose from 21 to 36 weeks and stopping at that point to prepare for labor),
2) minutes of moderate exercise 5 days per week (I walked on my treadmill; see more fertility-supporting exercises here)
3) Including dairy in my diet – 2% Greek yogurt and protein-fortified milk were my go-to’s; see the best foods for fertility here
I can’t pinpoint which one, if any, of these things specifically helped me.
I cannot guarantee they will help you – though I sincerely hope they do!
What I can tell you is that I did not do this regimen with my previous pregnancy, which ended in a heartbreaking silent miscarriage.
I did implement this regimen for my following pregnancy, and I remain thankful that there was some action I could take while bringing my daughter into the world!
Please speak to your fertility specialist.
I did what was right for my body.
I want you to do what’s right for yours!
A Message of Hope: Your Journey Isn’t Over
If you’re struggling to conceive at any age, I know how easy it is to feel discouraged. But every small step brings you closer to your dream.
💖 Science is on your side. There are more fertility-boosting options than ever before.
💖 Your body is capable. Many women conceive with just small adjustments.
💖 Your story is still being written. And hope is still very much alive.
🌿 Whether it’s aspirin, lifestyle changes, or medical support, remember this: You are not out of time, and your baby is not out of reach. Keep going. Keep believing. You are stronger than you think. 💕
Have you tried low-dose aspirin for fertility? Share your story in the comments—we’re in this together!
Sources
- Aspirin & Pregnancy Rates – ScienceDirect
- Low-dose aspirin may improve pregnancy chances for women with one or two prior miscarriages – Emory University News Center
- Low-dose aspirin may improve pregnancy chances for women with one or two prior miscarriages – National Institutes of Health