Ready to start a family? Well, just because you and your partner have decided, it doesn’t mean your bodies are ready. In fact, lots of people struggle with intermittent, if not indefinite, infertility. A little over 10% of couples may have difficulty getting pregnant once they start trying. The bad news is that there are a number of lifestyle choices that not only make it more difficult to conceive, but can also have a negative effect on a pregnancy if it should develop. Thankfully, you can work to cut out these five bad habits and boost your fertility. Check out how here:
Stop Smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the most difficult things anyone could hope to do. After all, nicotine is extremely addictive. However, there’s no two ways around it: smoking is bad for your reproductive health. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarette smoke can affect both ovulation and sperm production. Also, women who smoke are at a greater risk of having an ectopic pregnancy or a miscarriage.
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Having the occasional beer or glass of wine with dinner won’t have a massive adverse effect on your ability to conceive. Yet, people who drink multiple times a week or who have a drinking problem are much less fertile than individuals who don’t. Indeed, chronic, heavy drinking can lead to diminished ovarian reserve and sperm production. What’s more, women who drink during pregnancy are much more likely to develop a number of dangerous complications as well.
Manage Your Weight
Studies have indicated a connection between obesity and fertility for both sexes. As such, losing weight and sticking to a balanced diet is a tremendous way to improve your odds at conception. On the other hand, extreme workout routines –– like excessive weight lifting –– can lead to drops in fertility levels too. Therefore, managing your workout and fitness routines well is essential to fertility.
Get Some Sleep
A lack of sleep can have a knock-on effect in that poor sleep habits may contribute to weight gain, high stress, and low energy –– all of which may in turn cause fertility issues. Pro tip: cutting back on caffeine could help you get more consistent sleep and improve your odds at conception.
Talk to Your Doctor
The sooner you speak to a doctor about your plans to get pregnant, the better. A doctor will be able to provide you and your partner valuable information that will enable you to form healthy fertility plans. Plus, doctors can assist in promoting fertility by educating you and your partner about the process. Lastly, some specialists may even be able to perform procedures to increase the odds of conception. This includes surgeries like an essure reversal or a tubal ligation reversal that can reverse contraceptive procedures. When in doubt, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your local MD!