Lifestyle choices can affect a woman’s ability to conceive.
If you are hoping to become pregnant, you may wonder about your fertility and whether you can improve it. Some factors may be beyond your control, such as medical conditions that affect your ability to conceive. However, your lifestyle choices can also have an impact on your fertility. Here’s what you need to know to support and protect your fertility.
What is female fertility?
Female fertility refers to a woman’s ability to conceive a child. You and your partner may begin to wonder about your fertility if you have been trying to conceive through regular, unprotected sexual intercourse for at least one year — or for six months if you are over the age of 35 — without success.
What causes female fertility problems?
Several medical conditions can contribute to female fertility problems, including:
Ovulation disorders, which affect the release of eggs from the ovaries. These include hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)), hyperprolactinemia, and thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism).
Uterine or cervical abnormalities, such as polyps or fibroids in the uterus.
Fallopian tube damage or blockage, often caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Endometriosis, which occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
Primary ovarian insufficiencypremature menopause, which occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally, and menstruation ends before the age of 40.
Pelvic adhesions — bands of scar tissue that bind organs together after a pelvic infection, appendicitis, or abdominal or pelvic surgery.
Medical conditions associated with the absence of menstruation, such as poorly controlled diabetes, celiac disease, and certain autoimmune disorders like lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus).
Reproductive age. Delaying pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of conception. As you age, the quantity and quality of your eggs decline, making it more difficult to conceive.
What can I do to promote female fertility?
Healthy lifestyle choices can help you support and improve your fertility. Here are some steps you can take:
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or significantly underweight can interfere with normal ovulation.
Prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are major causes of infertility in women.
Avoid night shift work, if possible. Regular night shifts may increase your risk of infertility by affecting hormone production. If you work at night, make sure to get enough rest when you’re not working.
Manage stress. While stress itself doesn’t prevent pregnancy, try to minimize it and adopt healthy coping strategies — such as relaxation techniques — when trying to conceive.
Healthy lifestyle choices matter here too. To protect your fertility:
Do not smoke. Tobacco use is linked to reduced fertility. Smoking ages your ovaries and damages your eggs prematurely. If you smoke, ask a specialist for help to quit.
Limit alcohol consumption. Heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of ovulation disorders. If you are trying to conceive, consider avoiding alcohol completely. Abstinence during conception and pregnancy is generally recommended, as no safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy has been established.
Limit caffeine intake. Female fertility does not appear to be affected by caffeine consumption below 200 milligrams per day. Consider limiting your caffeine intake to one or two cups of coffee a day.
Be cautious with over-exercising. Excessive intense physical activity can suppress ovulation and reduce progesterone production. If you have a healthy weight and are planning to become pregnant soon, try to limit vigorous exercise to less than five hours per week.
Avoid exposure to toxins. Environmental pollutants and toxins — such as pesticides, dry-cleaning solvents, and lead — can negatively affect fertility.
If you are planning to become pregnant and are concerned about how your lifestyle choices may affect your fertility, consult your gynecologist . They can help you identify ways to improve your fertility and increase your chances of conception.
