If you’re trying to conceive, you might be concerned about your fertility and whether you can improve it. Some elements, like health conditions that impair your ability to conceive, can be outside your control. However, your lifestyle choices can also impact your fertility.
This article will guide you on lifestyle choices to protect your fertility.
What is female fertility?
The ability of a woman to conceive a biological child is known as female fertility. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant with frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year (or at least six months if you’re older than 35) and haven’t been successful, you can question your fertility.
What causes female fertility problems?
Several medical conditions can cause female fertility problems, including:
● Ovulation disorders – Involve conditions that interfere with the egg release from the ovaries. Examples include hyperprolactinemia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and thyroid issues (hyper- or hypothyroidism).
● Uterus or cervix deformities, such as uterine polyps and fibroids.
● Fallopian tube deformity or blockage, often brought by pelvic inflammatory disease.
● Endometriosis – A disorder where the endometrium, a tissue that normally lines the lining of the uterus, develops outside the uterus.
● Primary ovarian insufficiency (often known as early menopause) – A condition where the ovaries stop working and menstruation ends before age 40.
● Pelvic adhesions – A common disease in which a band of scar tissue binds organs together after pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
● Menstruation-related medical conditions, including poorly controlled diabetes, celiac disease, and some autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
● Age decreases the amount and quality of eggs, making it difficult for women to get pregnant.
What are the dos and don’ts of female fertility?
Dos of female fertility include:
● Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity or being significantly underweight can interfere with hormone production and prevent ovulation. Maintaining a healthy weight can increase ovulation frequency and the likelihood of pregnancy.
● Prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are major causes of female infertility. To prevent STDs, use a condom each time you have sex.
● Eat a healthy diet: Consuming various protein sources, complete grains, healthy fats, and plenty of fruit and vegetables can help promote female fertility.
● Avoid the night shift, if possible: Regularly working the night shift can increase your chances of infertility by affecting hormone production. Try to get adequate sleep when you’re not working if you do the night shift.
● Reduce stress: Although stress won’t prevent you from becoming pregnant, you should think about reducing stress and using coping mechanisms, like relaxation techniques, when you’re trying to get pregnant.
● Schedule routine check-ups: Regular visits to your doctor can help you detect and treat health conditions that may harm your fertility.
Don’ts of female fertility include:
● Reduce caffeine intake: Caffeine consumption above 200 milligrams per day can affect female fertility. Consider limiting your caffeine intake to one or two cups of coffee per day.
● Don’t overexercise: Too much intense exercise can prevent ovulation and lower progesterone levels in the body. If you have a healthy weight and planning a pregnancy soon, think about keeping your intense exercise to less than five hours a week.
● Quit smoking: Smoking ages your ovaries and depletes your egg supply. Ask your doctor or partner to help you stop smoking if you do.
● Limit your alcohol consumption: Ovulation disorders are more likely to occur in people who drink heavily. Consider avoiding alcohol entirely if you want to become pregnant.
● Avoid exposure to toxins: Industrial employees exposed to medications or chemicals during the manufacturing process, dental assistants exposed to high quantities of nitrous oxide, and anyone exposed to high levels of organic solvents, such as dry-cleaning chemicals, may also be at risk of reduced fertility.
Consult your healthcare professional if you’re considering getting pregnant and concerned about how your lifestyle choices may affect your fertility. They may be able to assist you in increasing your fertility and likelihood of becoming pregnant.
