The ability to conceive a biological child is called female fertility. Male infertility is when a male has a poor chance of making his female partner pregnant.
If you are trying to conceive for at least one year, or at least six months if you are older than 35, and are not successful, it’s time to question your fertility.
Infertility, whether male or female, has many causes. One among them is a person’s lifestyle choices. In order to maximize your fertility to get pregnant, you need to make smart and healthy lifestyle changes. Even after making lifestyle changes, infertility is a problem, so it is better to see a fertility specialist.
Lifestyle changes that can affect fertility
Healthy Weight and Diet
Women can have a high rate of fertility by maintaining a healthy diet and weight. Normal ovulation is affected, when a woman is significantly underweight or overweight. Ovarian dysfunction is more common in women with a significantly higher or lower than normal BMI. Hormone production is affected and causes infertility.
If women with PCOS lose five percent of their body weight, chances of ovulation and pregnancy are greatly improved. Low carbohydrate diets are beneficial for some women.
Unhealthy weight and diet can affect the infertility of men too. Obesity in men can be linked to low sperm count and reduced quality of sperm. Male fertility is negatively affected by high-fat, high-protein diets.
Stop Smoking
Tobacco use is associated with lower fertility. Smoking causes depletion in the women’s eggs, prematurely and causes aging of ovaries. It harms the cervix and fallopian tubes and as a result, there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy. Women who smoke or have a partner who smokes, have low pregnancy rates. Smoking, while you are pregnant, increases pregnancy complications like intrauterine growth restriction and loss of blood supply to the placenta. You must quit smoking so as to protect yourself and your unborn baby.
Smoking reduces the quality and motility of sperm.
Avoid Alcohol and Narcotics
Avoid alcohol if you are trying for a baby because heavy alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of ovulation disorders and infertility.
Alcohol and drugs have an impact on a man’s sperm quality and quantity. Excessive drinking lowers testosterone levels, which can lead to erectile dysfunction. Cannabis and cocaine both have an adverse influence on sperm production. Steroids also affect male fertility.
Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Fallopian tubes can be inflamed, damaged, and scarred due to STDs such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Scarring can result in tubal factor fertility problems. They can also cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), due to which, the risk of ectopic pregnancy and overall infertility can increase.
Limit Caffeine
Coffee, various types of tea, some energy drinks, and soft drinks have high caffeine content. If you are trying to get pregnant, you should limit your daily caffeine consumption to one or two 6- to 8-ounce cups of coffee a day.
Exercise
Excessive exercise or too much vigorous physical activity can inhibit the production of progesterone hormone production and ovulation. These are the most common reasons for infertility. If you are planning to become pregnant and have a healthy body weight, aim to restrict your weekly intense exercise to no more than five hours.
Avoid exposure to toxins
Prevent exposure to high levels of potentially harmful chemicals as certain toxins can affect hormones and the health of the eggs. Phthalates found in plastics, act as endocrine disruptors and may have negative effects on both mother and child. Avoid the use of plastics. Environmental pollutants like pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, and lead can adversely affect fertility. Certain chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides can affect sperm production.
Medications
Sperm production can be affected by certain prescription drugs. Calcium channel blockers, used to treat hypertension, can alter sperm function. Ejaculation effectiveness can be altered by Flomax. Check with your doctor if any medication is risky for you.
High Temperature
Sperm maturation takes place at a few degrees below normal body temperature in testicles. An increase in the scrotal temperature can reduce sperm production. Activities like spending excessive time in hot tubs, wearing tight underwear, holding a laptop directly on the lap for long periods, can increase the scrotal temperature.
Stress
The levels of testosterone get reduced due to stress and depression. Physical stress in women causes a low fertility rate. Exercise, therapy, meditation, yoga, and support groups are beneficial for both men and women. Practice relaxing methods when you’re attempting to conceive.
Avoid night shifts, if possible
If you are regularly working the night shift, you are at a higher risk of infertility. If you have to work the night shift, make sure you get enough sleep during the day.
Goodwill IVF Treatment Center is one of the most reputable IVF centers in Kerala. Goodwill has a highly experienced team of fertility experts who take all efforts to bring your dreams to life. This female and male infertility treatment center, which has written amazing success stories, looks into the causes of infertility, and through the state of the art technology and clinical protocols devise the best treatment for you, coupled with ultimate care and comfort.
