WHAT ARE THE LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR FERTILITY | DR RAMA SOFAT HOSPITAL & RUCHI TEST TUBE BABY CENTRE

WHAT ARE THE LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT AFFECT YOUR FERTILITY | DR RAMA SOFAT HOSPITAL & RUCHI TEST TUBE BABY CENTRE

Smoking 

Smoking, be it first or second-hand smoke, can negatively impact each step of the reproductive process for both men and women. Cadmium and cotinine are two specific toxins found in tobacco smoke which can reduce sperm quality and egg production (including AMH levels). Other impacts of smoking on fertility include increased sperm DNA damage, reduced fertilisation and development potential, culminating in lower pregnancy rates.  Smoking other substances can also negatively impact fertility. 

Alcohol  

If you’re trying to conceive, the advice is not to drink alcohol at all. If you want to reduce or stop your alcohol consumption. This is the advice given by the expert Dr Rama Sofat.

BMI 

For both men and women, a higher or a very low BMI can impact fertility. To qualify as a private fertility patient, your BMI should be no more than 35 and no more than 30.A higher BMI can impact hormonal imbalances, pregnancy risks and the amount of drugs needed for fertility treatments, in females and sperm numbers in males. 

Diet  

As lifestyle and fertility are connected, eating a wide variety of healthy foods is advised when trying to conceive. Eating foods, including fruits and vegetables, with antioxidant properties, are likely to be beneficial for protecting against oxidative stress, something which can be harmful to both eggs and sperm. Be mindful when consuming junk food, it should ideally be avoided. Switching from trans fats (e.g. margarine and hydrogenated vegetable oils) for unsaturated fats (e.g. oily fish and nuts) is also advised.

Exercise  

Although irrelevant for most people, regular and intense exercise regimes can impact male and female fertility. Regular, moderate exercise is however proven to aid various body functions, including reproduction. This was given advice by the infertility specialist Dr Rama Sofat.

When exercising, do be mindful of taking any supplementary drugs, substances, tight underwear and your exposure to excessive heat sources (e.g. hot baths or saunas). Do seek advice from The Fertility Partnership if you are concerned that your exercise regime or occupation could be impacting your fertility. 

Vitamin Supplements 

Wondering where to start when it comes to vitamins? We’ve broken down the key vitamins and supplements of interest for your fertility and all can be bought over the counter at your local chemist, in supermarkets and health stores.  

WOMEN 

For female fertility, the beneficial supplements and vitamins list evolves throughout the fertility journey. Pre-pregnancy, folic acid and ‘well-woman’ vitamin supplements including antioxidants, Omega 3, zinc and selenium are advised. Adding in a Vitamin D (10µg/day) supplement after conception is beneficial to both a developing baby and its mother.  

Taking 400 micrograms (400 µg) of folic acid to supplement your diet, pre-pregnancy and during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, has been found to reduce the risk of developmental abnormalities.  

MEN 

Individual vitamins and ‘well-man’ vitamin supplements can also be helpful for male fertility, particularly in the case of lower sperm function. Key ones to look out for include antioxidants, Omega 3, zinc and selenium.  

Medication 

Whether it’s a one-off prescription or over-the-counter medication which you take regularly, please do consult the pharmacist, information leaflets and labels to establish the impact of your medication on your fertility. When you’re trying to have a baby, there are some everyday medications that are not advised. 

Contraception 

It is a myth! Contraception itself, be it the pill, IUS, IUD, Injection, ring or implant, cannot make you infertile. Doctors, Pharmacists and Nurses actively avoid causing harm, therefore they would not prescribe contraception that had the ability to make you infertile.  

Mental Health 

There are no ifs or buts about it…fertility is an emotional rollercoaster. It is essential that you take time to acknowledge that the stress, strains and anxiety that come with trying to conceive can’t always be avoided (even with the best intentions).  We strongly advise prioritising your overall health and well-being (physical and mental) when looking to conceive and whilst undergoing fertility treatment.