Humans are extremely sensitive to their surroundings, especially when it comes to reproduction. Just as bears and elk wait for the right season to mate, our bodies reach their peak fertility only when the conditions appear to be favourable for childbirth. If there is any indication of illness, malnutrition, or an unhealthy environment, our bodies may decide to postpone parenthood.
However, while you may feel ready to start a family, is your body sending the right signals? Many men and women are endangering their fertility without even realizing it. If you want to have children in the future, you should start protecting your fertility now. If you and your partner are already having difficulty conceiving and there is no medical explanation, a few lifestyle changes may help you get on the path to parenthood. Keeping this in mind, here are some suggestions to improve your fertility chances:
Maintain a healthy weight: Both men’s and women’s sex hormones are closely linked to weight. Heavier men may have fertility issues. One reason for this is that an increase in abdominal fat is associated with insulin resistance and an increase in insulin production, both of which disrupt sex hormones. Obesity in women can also disrupt sex hormones, disrupt ovulation, and increase the risk of miscarriage, making it difficult to conceive. Weight management is important even for ART (IVF cycle) success because obesity leads to poor oocyte yield, fewer mature eggs, low-grade embryo formation, and low embryo implantation rates.
Get some exercise, but not too much: Exercising regularly is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy. However, if you push yourself too hard for too long, your hormones may become unbalanced.
Consume a well-balanced diet: Men’s sperm production can be slowed by nutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin C, zinc, and folic acid. Women who are trying to conceive should also take a folic acid supplement with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid per day, a nutrient that can help prevent birth defects.
You should not smoke: Smoking can reduce a man’s sperm count slightly and may even contribute to impotence, which is especially difficult for prospective mothers. Smoking can interfere with almost every aspect of a woman’s fertility, from ovulation to embryo development.
If you drink, put it down: Moderate drinking does not usually reduce sperm count in men or harm fertility in women. However, excessive alcohol consumption (defined as more than two drinks per day for men and more than one drink per day for women) may reduce your chances of becoming a parent.
Examine your medicine cabinet: Some prescription medications can reduce fertility in both men and women.
Overall, the fertility game plan resembles the basic strategy for good health: watch your weight, exercise, eat well, and avoid smoking and heavy drinking. These habits are beneficial to everyone. You might be able to pass them down to your children. Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating right and not smoking, are important in and of themselves, but these habits also serve to supplement traditional medical treatment and may mean the difference between coming home from the hospital with empty arms and coming home with a baby.
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