Healthy Living

Did you know that your lifestyle can affect your fertility? Your general health can have an affect on your ability to conceive, and so can a variety of other lifestyle factors. The good news is that most of these areas are relatively easy to change.

The potential risks of smoking

Besides being linked to lung cancer and respiratory disease, smoking may contribute to infertility. For example, smoking:

• Increases the risk of tubal pregnancies
• Increases the risk of cervical cancer
• Increases the risk of pelvic infections
• Is linked to sperm problems in men

Talk to your healthcare provider about the potential impact of smoking on your ability to conceive. Your healthcare provider may also be able to help you find a program to help you to quit smoking.

Trying to quit? Try these tips.

Weight and women's fertility

Being overweight or obese may reduce a woman's fertility. A body mass index (BMI) of 25.0 to 29.9 is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30.0 or higher is defined as obese. Being obese may:

• Increase the risk of infertility
• Cause irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles
• Increase risk of miscarriage.

For women who are obese, weight loss of 5% to 10% may dramatically improve ovulation and pregnancy rates.

Being underweight can also impact your fertility. For a number of reasons, it’s best to try to keep your BMI within the normal range.

Think before you drink

Alcohol consumption has been shown to affect fertility in both men and women. If you are trying to conceive, consider reducing your alcohol consumption or eliminating it altogether.

For him, at the gym

Sorry guys, but prolonged exposure to high heat from hot baths and steam rooms can lower a man's sperm quality.

Lubricants

Using lubricants such as petroleum jelly or vaginal creams may affect a man's sperm quality.

Worrying may impact fertility

It's not what you want to hear when you're trying to become pregnant, but worrying can make you less likely to conceive.

A recent study surveyed 151 women about their concerns while undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology treatments for infertility. The women who worried about the medical procedure, their finances, or missing work due to the procedure were more likely to produce fewer eggs and had a lower chance of conceiving than the women who didn't worry.¹

Consider acupuncture

The jury's still out on the overall impact of acupuncture. But evidence shows that this ancient Chinese technique can reduce stress. This, in turn, can have a positive impact on fertility. Some research shows that acupuncture affects the production of endorphins which play a role in the menstrual cycle. There is also some evidence that acupuncture can increase the flow of blood to the uterus.

Say no to Joe

Or at least consider limiting your caffeine intake. Low to moderate consumption of caffeine (less than 300mg/day, or about 3 cups) does not appear to lower a woman's chance of becoming pregnant. But some studies have suggested that higher amounts may make it harder to conceive. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate.

Be aware of occupational risks

Exposure to toxic substances on the job, such as pesticides, radioactivity, x-rays, and electromagnetic or microwave emissions may lead to sperm abnormalities and other health hazards. If you've been exposed or if you're concerned about occupational hazards, talk to your healthcare provider.

Check your medications

Some drugs for heart disease and high blood pressure may cause infertility in men. If you have questions about your medications, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

• 1. ASRM Bulletin Vol. 6, Number 25. Fertility and Sterility, Worrying Doesn't Help Matters: Women Who Are Very Concerned About Medical Or Professional Implications Of Their IVF Cases Are Less Likely To Get Pregnant.