17 factors that decrease fertility: let’s start the search for a child by changing habits
Apparently everything seems very simple when it comes to conceiving a child. At least this is the idea of a couple who are preparing for the first time in research. You have found the right person, the moment is the best ever and health too, but the baby is late in arriving anyway. Why?
Even if you are physically healthy, fertility can be influenced by many factors, more than you can imagine!
For this reason, if you are looking for a baby or intend to start looking soon, the time may have come to change some habits that can increase the probability of success and therefore reduce the waiting time for the stork.
Artificial light
We know that staring at tablet and smartphone screens at night is bad for you and not just for sleep. According to research published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, exposure to artificial light at night can damage not only your ability to conceive but also affect fetal development if the woman is pregnant. Exposure to light late into the night can suppress the production of melatonin, the “sleep hormone,” which is also produced in the reproductive tract and protects eggs from free radical damage, particularly during ovulation. Researchers suggest that insufficient melatonin production may also interfere with the biological clock of the developing fetus, resulting in long-term problems in the baby.
Junk food
If you don’t get important nutrients with your diet (think monounsaturated fats, zinc, vitamins D and B6), you could negatively interfere with the production of hormones essential for reproduction such as progesterone, insulin and testosterone. Furthermore, the importance of breakfast should not be underestimated: research published in Clinical Science has shown that consuming about half of the daily calories in the morning could increase fertility.
Cholesterol in men and women
High cholesterol not only damages the heart but can negatively affect the ability to conceive. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolis, high levels of free cholesterol in women are associated with a longer time to get pregnant. But that’s not all: when both the man and the woman have high cholesterol in the couple, achieving pregnancy is even more difficult than in those couples who have normal cholesterol levels.
Stress
If you’re going through a difficult time and pregnancy is late in coming, treat yourself to a day at a spa or treat yourself to yoga classes. A study published in the journal Human Reproduction has shown that high levels of stress are associated with an increased risk of infertility. The researchers found that women with high levels of alpha-amylase (a stress hormone associated with the sympathetic system) had a 29 percent lower chance of pregnancy and had twice the risk of infertility than women with alpha- low amylases.
Bad oral hygiene
A study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that women who underwent fertility treatments suffered more frequently from bleeding gums and inflammation of the oral cavity than women who had no problems getting pregnant naturally.
For this reason it is advisable to adopt good oral hygiene on a daily basis and to undergo checks by the dentist on time.
Smoke
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) smoking is linked to 13 percent of infertility cases. Furthermore, further studies on the harms of smoking have shown that women who are exposed to secondhand smoke six or more hours a day are 36% more likely to have trouble conceiving. Luckily, fertility levels return to normal in about a year, so if you’re trying to get pregnant (or just want to live longer and better), cut out cigarettes and tell your friends/relatives/housemates to do the same.
Weight
Being overweight is a problem that should not be underestimated if you are trying to get pregnant. It is estimated that 12% of infertility cases are caused by weight-related issues. Being underweight can also be just as harmful. Losing a significant amount of weight or exercising excessively, especially if your Body Mass Index falls below 18 or 19, can cause you to miss ovulation and thus negatively affect your fertility.
Hormonal imbalances
The thyroid is key to regulating your metabolism, and it can also affect your ability to conceive. For this reason it is advisable to keep the values of thyroid hormones monitored and in case of problems to be treated with a correct use of the drugs and other treatments prescribed by the endocrinologist.
Medicines
There are some medications, especially some antidepressants and mood stabilizers, that can affect your ability to conceive. These drugs cause the body to produce more prolactin, a hormone that interferes with ovulation. Therefore, if you take medicines and think about becoming pregnant, it is good to talk to your gynecologist about how to proceed and possibly replace the medicines with other treatments that are compatible with pregnancy or that do not interfere with conception.
Age
The fertility of a woman (but also of a man) does not last forever. Many women put off getting pregnant as much as possible either because of their career, or because they can’t find the right person soon, or because they simply want to do something else. A woman’s fertility naturally begins to decline on average after age 35 and more markedly after age 40. Having said that, it is definitely possible to conceive after age 35 but if after six months of trying (after 12 if you are under 35 ) be seen by a gynecologist to evaluate possible treatments.
Breastfeeding
It is not true that while breastfeeding it is impossible to get pregnant. However, breastfeeding affects fertility: the high secretion of prolactin in breastfeeding can interfere with the regularity of ovulation.
Cervical mucus
This fluid secreted by the cervix is crucial when it comes to conceiving a child because it helps protect sperm as it travels through the female reproductive tract. Abnormalities related to cervical mucus can cause infertility. This happens for example when it is too dense or absent. Luckily some medicines or intrauterine insemination can help . In women, cigarette smoke has a negative effect on cervical mucus, making it hostile to sperm. This is also another good reason to quit smoking.
Lubricants
Some lubricants can negatively interfere with conception. If you are having trouble conceiving and feeling dry during intercourse, try a natural lubricant that is not hostile to sperm. Ask your trusted pharmacist.
Uterine polyps or fibroids
Uterine polyps are typically small, rounded formations of endometrial tissue that remain attached to the uterine wall. Uterine fibroids are basically similar, but are made up of muscle tissue. These benign growths can actually cause infertility. Thankfully, both uterine polyps and fibroids are in most cases easily corrected with surgery.
Folic acid deficiency
If there’s one vitamin you need to take when you’re trying for a baby (and if you’re looking to become pregnant anytime soon), it’s folic acid . The body uses this vital B-complex vitamin to make red blood cells, and it’s crucial for expectant mothers. The recommended dose is 400 micrograms of folic acid per day. The easiest (and most reliable) way to ensure this intake is to take a folic acid supplement. ask your gynecologist or trusted pharmacist for advice
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals used in plastics and some cosmetics . According to a study presented last year at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, phthalates may impair the ability to conceive.
Chronic health conditions
Certain health problems, such as endometriosis and diabetes, can negatively impact your ability to get pregnant.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.