Few people realize the link between lifestyle and fertility, but they’re intrinsically tied together. The lifestyle you lead could make you more or less fertile, depending on how you actually live. Some things can end up being causes of infertility, while others could simply make it more difficult to get pregnant.
While a few specific things affect fertility in both men and women, there are a few factors that are unique to both genders. What affects male fertility could be a little different to what affects fertility in females. Before delving into the gender-specific factors of fertility, it might be beneficial to explore some of the more general aspects.
As you read through this resource, If any of these factors are applicable to your lifestyle, it could be worthwhile to give them some consideration, and Red Rock Fertility is here to help guide you through the journey.
Lifestyle and Fertility: What Factors Affect Your Fertility?
1. Smoking and Fertility
Smoking has a negative impact on fertility in both men and women, due to the abundance of cadmium and cotinine in cigarettes. These toxins can reduce sperm levels in men, while reducing egg production in women, and neither of these are helpful when you’re trying to get pregnant.
It’s worth quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smoke as much as possible. Even smoking other substances can have a significant impact on fertility levels, making it even more worth avoiding any illicit substances.
Once you have made the decision to quit, it is expected that your sperm levels or egg production will gradually recover over time. It might be beneficial to consider getting a check-up at a later stage to assess if they have sufficiently returned to normal levels, allowing for a higher chance of achieving pregnancy.
2. Diet and Fertility
One of the major links between lifestyle and fertility is diet. What you eat – and even what you avoid eating – can have a significant role in how fertile you are. If you only eat heavily processed and unhealthy food, this could cause you to be less fertile than you ideally should be.
It is advisable to consider eliminating certain foods from your diet and transitioning towards more specific food choices. Opting for antioxidant-rich options like fruits and vegetables is highly recommended as they can potentially enhance your chances of conceiving. Conversely, it is also worth avoiding foods high in trans fats, such as vegetable oils, as this can have a negative impact on fertility.
3. Medication and Fertility
Certain medications can have a significant impact on whether a couple can get pregnant. In men, they can interfere with sperm production, making it much more difficult to fertilize an egg. With women, some medications could even interfere with ovulation and similar areas.
If you’re trying to get pregnant, it’s beneficial to consult with a doctor or fertility specialist to determine whether any medication you’re taking can affect your fertility. Even over-the-counter medications could cause some issues, making it speaking with a pharmacist about specific options.
Thankfully, this could be relatively easy to address, and you might simply need to switch medications to increase your fertility levels. Speak to your doctor today to learn more.
What Affects Fertility In Females?
All of the above affects both men and women, but other factors are more gender-specific. You could find yourself wondering, what affects fertility in females? Outside of the above, a few other factors could play a significant role in this. They could be some of the more notable causes of infertility, while others can be changed to make you more fertile.
Many of these factors are medical issues that could be addressed with professional intervention. Some of the more notable of these are:
- Cervical abnormalities
- Ovulation disorders
- Hormonal changes
- Pelvic adhesions
A significant number of these issues can be effectively addressed through medical intervention, and you might find them more manageable to overcome than you originally anticipated.
What Affects Male Fertility?
Moving on to what affects male fertility, there could be a few factors and even lifestyle choices that could be an issue. As you might expect from the causes of infertility in women, some of these could be relatively medical in nature.
Hormonal imbalances, undescended testicles, celiac disease, and even overheating testicles can all be some of the more notable of these. As you might expect, it could be worth speaking with a fertility specialist to determine if any of these are affecting you and your chances of starting a family.
Lifestyle and Fertility: Wrapping Up
The link between lifestyle and fertility is much closer than you’d think, with multiple factors playing a role in this. While there can be multiple causes of infertility beyond your control, some can be more changeable than you’d expect. Changing the medication you’re taking, stopping smoking, and even changing your diet can help anyone with this over time.
Coupled with these factors are the gender-specific factors that affect men and women, almost all of which might need to be addressed in your life. If you’re trying to have a baby, it’s worth changing your lifestyle to make it easier. Contact the team at Red Rock Fertility today and learn more about the options you have when it comes to growing your family. We’re here to help you at every step of the way!
