People attempting to have a baby frequently adopt lifestyle changes to boost their fertility and treatment efficacy. While the effects of stress and obesity are well documented, there are several lesser-known aspects that people may be unaware of.
Not being overweight
When it comes to conceiving, being too thin can be just as harmful as being too fat, especially if ultra-low body fat levels cause the ovaries to shut down. Women with a BMI of 18.5 or below, officially classified as underweight, may produce reduced quantities of estrogen and frequently have irregular or no periods.
Regular menstruation will resume quite soon for women whose thinness has been caused by rigorous calorie restriction once a normal BMI of between 18.5 and 24.9 is achieved. Tim Child, medical officer of Oxford Infertility and director of The Fertility Partnership, recommends would-be mothers with irregular periods limit strenuous exercise to one session per week and increase calories.
Men with faulty sperm results may also consider reducing their participation in high-intensity activities, like cycling, to boost their overall sperm count, improve motility, and optimize sperm shape. While it has not been proven that wearing tight lycra hinders conception, maintaining the testes cold will aid achieve regular sperm production.
Prescription medications
High doses of ibuprofen taken amid the menstrual cycle can interrupt ovulation, and its long-term usage, like other widely available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), might impair a man’s testosterone production.
Antipsychotic medications, which are used to treat conditions ranging from severe depression to bipolar disorder, might cause women to skip periods and, in turn, increase infertility in both sexes, especially when other substantial risk factors are present.
Antibiotics, antihypertensives, anabolic steroids, and even angioedema medications are thought to interfere with conception, but in most cases, this may be quickly rectified once they are stopped.
Couples trying to conceive should inform their doctor or pharmacist, and they should be informed that, while less is known about the influence of compound-rich homeopathic remedies, their usage may impede or even dilute the effectiveness of traditional fertility therapies.
So-called recreational substances like marijuana and cocaine can make ovulation more difficult. While all would-be parents must quit smoking tobacco before trying to conceive, new research reveals that flavorings in some e-cigarettes may harm sperm quality.
Supplements and minerals
Zinc has long been known to influence male and female fertility strongly, and while it is abundant in oysters, milk, seeds, and lentils, many would-be parents prefer to take a supplement. According to Professor Colin Duncan, chair of the Society for Reproductive and Fertility, a healthy, well-balanced diet representing all main food categories is essential before conception.
Still, he emphasizes that few of the ‘baby-making’ food crazes that grab the news are supported by real evidence. Folic acid supplements that should be taken during conception and pregnancy, and iron, which has been shown to increase the generation of healthy eggs, are exceptions.
Eating extra iron-rich meat, eggs, beans, nuts, dark green vegetables, and fortified foods, such as some breakfast cereals, or supplements, is an effective strategy to boost levels. Caffeine intake of less than 200 mg per day does not appear to influence female fertility, although the recommendation is to limit consumption to one or two cups per day. Future fathers should also limit their consumption.
Ovulation cycles and timing
Although having intercourse within a day or so of fertilization, which for many women happens in the middle of their cycle, the best likelihood of pregnancy entails having sex significantly more frequently than this. Tim Child feels that a calendar-ticking attitude raises stress and decreases desire, and he warns that ovarian prediction kits can be both erroneous and costly.
While many time-pressed couples prefer to have sex just on ‘fertile’ days, he feels that having sex every two to three days during the month, including on bleeding days if desired, enhances the odds and strengthens the all-important emotional link between partners.
According to specialists, natural conception occurs more quickly on vacation when couples are calmer. While regular ejaculation increases sperm production, having intercourse several times daily can dilute potency. Having sex three or four times a week, instead of daily, helps couples remember that having a kid is supposed to be a joy, not a chore.
A lack of sleep
The link between infertility and lack of sleep has already inspired an astounding number of worldwide research papers, and it appears to impact both sexes. Women who suffer from various sleep disorders, including chronic insomnia, are far more likely to have irregular or skipped periods, which can directly impact ovulation and overall fertility.
According to an examination released last year, women who work shifts may have worse egg quality, especially if they conduct physically demanding labor such as heavy lifting. Men who sleep fewer than 6.5 hours per night appear to have a lower density of sperm in their sperm as well as a higher risk of creating more sperm with DNA damage.
Assistance with conceiving is more prevalent among male shift workers. While sleeplessness has been described as the modern age’s curse, fresh air, exercise, and regular sleep and morning routines are proven to aid, unsociable work schedules are not recommended for couples attempting to conceive.
Sperm quality
Sitting stationary for long periods can drastically diminish sperm quality, and for male taxis or haulers, the problem may be exacerbated by continual vehicle vibrations. Alternating between sitting and standing and taking frequent breaks from the taxi or desk will allow the testicles to recuperate.
Sitting with a laptop on a table rather than a cushioned tray or lap is a simple technique for office employees to help safeguard fertility. Agricultural workers subjected to a class of pesticides with estrogen-like properties may have lower sperm potency. Other chemicals used in the plastics, paints, and printing sectors have been proven to have comparable effects.
Lower sperm counts are well recognized among persons who work with heavy metals, particularly lead or cadmium. Showering and changing shoes and clothes before going home can reduce the influence of harmful substances. Still, couples with difficulty conceiving should consult their GP, their HR department, or, if necessary, the Health and Safety Executive.