Infertility cases have increased in recent years and more and more couples have problems when seeking pregnancy. Among the most common causes, we find the current lifestyle, which we will talk about today in detail.

Type A Personality/Ambitious Personality

Nowadays, both men and women are very ambitious. They run after perfection in each area of their lives. However, in such a case, they often forget that they cannot control and plan everything. They also forget that most of the things that occur in day to day are not in our control.
In the pursuit of their ambitions, the couples ignore the timeline the nature has set for human beings, i.e. the optimum age for learning (education) is until 20 years old and for reproduction (childbirth), it is between 20 and 30 years old. Thereby, marrying later in life is one of the primary causes of infertility.

Advanced maternal age

A woman’s reproductive life has a deadline, known as menopause. The most fertile stage of a woman is between 20 and 30 years old when her ovarian reserve (number of eggs) is high. From this age on, the reproductive capacity progressively decreases. This decline becomes more pronounced once the barrier of 35 is exceeded and is especially pronounced after the age of 40. Besides, the older the age, the greater the probability of chromosomal alterations in the offspring such as Down syndrome. Over the years, the probability of pregnancy decreases, not only due to the decrease in eggs but also due to the incorporation of women into the world of work and the priorities of today’s society, among other reasons, have increased the age at which couples consider having a child.

Stress

The pace of life in today’s society generates high levels of anxiety. The stress that directs our daily routines can influence the proper functioning of the body. Endocrine (hormonal) system disturbances can affect fertility. Hormones regulate both the ovarian cycle and spermatogenesis (sperm production). Therefore, an alteration in this sense can cause problems in the quality of the semen and the ovules. On the other hand, the stress generated by the frustration of not achieving pregnancy the first time can make conception difficult. It is like the fish that bites its tail.

Diet

A balanced diet is essential to improve fertility and reproductive capacity in both men and women. The absence of some essential nutrients can lead to infertility since it worsens the quality of eggs and sperm. It is especially recommended to consume foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables, as these help improve the ovarian response and the fertilizing capacity of sperm, and it is advisable to reduce the consumption of Trans fats, which we find in packed foods, pastries, fried foods, snacks, etc. Our traditional diet is the most complete, healthy, and balanced.

Obesity

Obesity, increasingly common in society, is a direct cause of alterations in female and male fertility. Numerous studies indicate that being overweight decreases the reproductive capacity and increases the probability of abortion due to endocrine and metabolic alterations. On the other hand, having an excessively low body mass index (BMI) also reduces the capacity for pregnancy, as it can cause alterations in ovulation and obstetric complications. Ideally, your BMI should be between 20 and 25.

Tobacco and alcohol

The ingestion of toxic substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs has a potentially harmful effect on eggs and sperm, for example, high cigarette consumption can increase the number of genetic alterations in the eggs and, therefore, in the embryos. As for men, nicotine can hinder the movement of sperm and decrease their viability. It is also recommended to reduce coffee intake to no more than 2-3 cups a day in women seeking pregnancy. Some studies link high concentrations of caffeine with a higher chance of miscarriage.

Environmental factors

Exposure to chemical substances such as pesticides or heavy metals can alter the hormonal system and negatively affect fertility, especially in men. Also, direct and continuous contact with sources of heat or radiation can be a reason for male infertility, since the production of sperm is carried out at a temperature 2 ° C lower than that of the rest of the body. In this sense, it is recommended for men to avoid tight underwear and pay attention to heat sources such as mobile phones, computers, or saunas.

Lack of exercise

Today’s lifestyle forces many people to do sitting jobs for most of the day. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise can lead to reduced fitness and increased obesity. Regular exercise and games of moderate intensity help, not only to maintain a healthy weight but also to reduce levels of stress and anxiety. Therefore, physical exercise is recommended for couples who are seeking pregnancy. It is important to note that the regular consumption of substances to improve physical performance and muscles, such as anabolic, is a reason for male sterility. For this reason, it is important to avoid these types of compounds. Eliminating some bad habits can, in some cases, be the solution to the fertility problem. However, there are situations in which pregnancy does not occur, despite lifestyle changes. If this is the case, we at Dr. Pragati IVF Center provide you with the best assisted reproduction techniques. We must not forget that leading a healthy life cannot only improve natural fertility but also the probability of successful reproductive treatment. For this reason, at Dr. Pragati IVF Clinic, we always recommend leading a healthy lifestyle, following a balanced diet, doing moderate exercise, and avoiding toxic substances