Lifestyle Factors That Contribute To Infertility
There may be various factors that can lead couples to infertility. However, the factors do not necessarily relate solely on medical conditions. While trying to conceive, both men and women can affect their likelihoods due to lifestyle choices. The decisions they make on day-to-day activities influence fertility just as equal, if not more, than medical circumstances. Couples should practice healthy lifestyles while trying to conceive because it plays a significant role in determining whether or not they can get pregnant and have a healthy baby.
A few lifestyle factors that may contribute to infertility are listed below:
- Body weight
- Normal ovulation may be hindered if a woman is significantly overweight or underweight. Overweight women may experience irregularity with ovulation where their body may produce excess estrogen. On the flip side, underweight women can completely shut down the reproductive process with an irregular or absent ovulation and menstruation. A BMI less than 37 is recommended for fertility treatment, and it is required for IVF. It is important to calculate your BMI to maintain a medically healthy weight.
- Diet
- Bodies that are provided by healthy nutrients produce greater outcomes, so maintaining a healthy diet for pregnancy is crucial. This applies to both women and men. For women, their food intake should include nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables. For men, it is essential for men to uphold well-balanced diets to contribute in healthy sperm production.
- Tobacco Use
- “Smoking” has been negatively associated with both male and female infertility. Women who smoke have a poorer egg production while men who smoke have lower sperm production and motility. It is strongly recommended to quit smoking at least two to three months to significantly improve chances for conception, especially before attempting IVF.
- Stress
- Stress has a huge effect on hormones regulating reproduction and sperm production. Working women spending 40 hours or more per week and are stressed out has negative impacts on their fertility. There is stress surrounded infertility in itself, so it is essential for men and women to discover a healthy release from stress throughout the period in which they are trying to conceive.
- Alcohol Use
- If women are trying to get pregnant, they are strongly encouraged to avoid alcohol completely. Alcohol consumption can impair fertility and conception, and it is associated with ovulation disorders, severe birth defects, and low birth weight.
Lifestyle decisions are a personal choice. Couples should be attentive of the lifestyle decisions that may contribute to infertility, and they should help one another improve their daily habits. If couples are considering pregnancy, and they are concerned about the effects of the lifestyle choices on fertility, it is encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider. He or she can assist couples find ways to increase fertility in both men and women as well as improve the likelihoods of getting pregnant.