If you and your partner are struggling to conceive, you are not the only one. National estimates say that approximately 10% to 15% of couples are facing this problem. Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least twelve months.
Cause of infertility may lie with either husband or wife, or a combination of male and female factors that prevent pregnancy. If you approach a fertility expert at the right time, treatment may significantly improve your chances of getting pregnant . In case, you are wondering where to get the right guidance from then you can visit our fertility centre in Jaipur.
Risk factors
Many of the risk factors are common to both the partners. They include:
Age: A woman’s fertility starts declining with age, especially after 30 years and it drops rapidly after 35 years of age. Advancing age leads to decrease in number and quality of eggs. Even men over age 50 may be less fertile than younger men, contrary to earlier belief that man’s age does not have any impact on fertility. So, the sooner the better.
Use of Tobacco. Smoking or chewing tobacco may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. This stands true for male a well as females. Miscarriages and fetal growth restriction are more likely in women who smoke. In males, smoking can increase the risk of sexual dysfunction and a low sperm count.
Consumption of alcohol. For women, no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy. Excessive or regular intake of alcohol may contribute to infertility. For men, heavy alcohol use (either binging or frequent use) can decrease sperm parameters (count and motility).
Obesity. Being overweight has an adverse effect on the quality of eggs. In men, it may lead to poor sperm parameters. It is always better to maintain a healthy weight before planning pregnancy.
Being underweight. Women with weight less than 47 kgs or BMI less than 19 kg/m2 may also have problems with egg formation.
Prevention
Infertility can be prevented in some cases. All we need is recognising the problem and timely intervention. Once we understand that our lifestyle is affecting our fertility, we should get alarmed. Few measures that should be done:
For men:
- Avoid smoking, tobacco use and drinking too much alcohol, may actually enhance your fertility.
- Hot or sauna baths, keeping laptop over thighs for long durations, wearing tight underwear can temporarily affect sperm production and motility.
- Avoid any exposure to industrial or environmental toxin or radiations, which can adversely affect fertility.
- Consult your doctor about any medications you take regularly or any past medical history.
- Regular exercise may improve sperm quality and increase the chances for achieving a healthy pregnancy.
Women:
Quit smoking: Tobacco in any form is very harmful for fertility and pregnancy. So, if you are planning for a pregnancy or are already pregnant, you should quit smoking without a second thought.
Avoid alcohol. These substances may impair your pregnancy outcome. Alcohol in moderation may still be permitted by your fertility doctor.
Limit caffeine. Women trying to get pregnant should ask their doctor for guidance on the safe limit of caffeine. Excessive tea or coffee may be harmful.
Exercise regularly: Regular exercise or yoga may improve the hormonal balance and help conceive faster.
Weight management: Being overweight or underweight can both have a negative impact on your fertility outcome. Maintaining a healthy weight according to your height is the key.
Research consistently shows that lifestyle factors including your eating habits, exercise regimen, sleep pattern, environmental exposure, stress play a very important role in overall health as well as fertility.
We, at VANSH IVF (AN ADVANCED FERTILITY AND WOMEN WELLNESS CENTRE), Jaipur, believe in preventing infertility as much as possible and guiding couples on how to enhance their fertility naturally. Getting a preconceptional counselling and management before planning a pregnancy doesn’t only help you conceive faster but also ensures a healthy pregnancy right from the very beginning.
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