What Are The Top Factors That Affect Fertility In Women?
Fertility has always been concerning for women, especially when ready to start a family of their own. Though not an uncommon condition, the causes can vary widely, stemming from genetic issues to lifestyle choices. Understanding your body and the aspects that could be affecting your infertility can help you discover the next steps you should take in your journey.
Genetics
There’s no easy way out of this one. Some women’s infertility is due to genetic diseases or family history. Some conditions, such as a hormonal imbalance, can be treated or regulated to an extent, but others are more difficult to deal with. PCOS and thyroid issues, for example, can both affect fertility. Each requires a different approach when looking to maximize the chances of getting and staying pregnant.
Age
It’s not hard to see that many things change for a woman as she gets older and enters into menopause. But even before this stage of life, fertility begins to decrease as women enter their 30s. During your 30s and 40s, the number and viability of your eggs decreases, which If you would like to plan a family someday, you may want to keep this in mind. These days, as many women wait until later in life to start families, they face more fertility struggles due to their bodies getting older.
Smoking and Drinking
Not all fertility troubles can be blamed on aspects outside our control, such as age. Women who participate in harmful habits and activities such as smoking and heavy drinking are also at risk of reducing their fertility. As these behaviors also negatively affect developing fetuses, it is better to end these behaviors even before becoming pregnant to increase your chances of conception.
Being Over or Underweight
Taking care of your body is essential as you plan on caring for the children you would like to have. Many aspects of life require balance, and your weight is one. For those who are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can impact your fertility. Alternatively, underweight women will have similar problems with fertility as their body is working hard to keep them alive and well instead of focusing on preparing for a baby.
Poor Nutrition and Exercise
A good diet and exercise are fundamental for a healthy life and positively impact fertility. Eating foods rich in antioxidants and good fats instead of empty carbs will give you the energy you need for your day and provide you with essential nutrients. If your diet lacks certain nutrients, consider taking vitamin supplements.
Furthermore, these days, many people live sedentary lifestyles and get little to no regular exercise, contributing to poor health. Frequent, intense exercise or athletic training can even cause women to stop having periods, interfering with their ability to conceive. However, both extreme ends of this spectrum can adversely affect your health and fertility.
Stress
Stress is a not-so-obvious problem to many health issues and can impact our bodies. While these days it can be difficult to escape the things that cause us stress, reducing stressful situations in your life can bring a wealth of benefits to both your physical and mental wellbeing, fertility included. As you eliminate the stress in your life, take time to replenish yourself through an adequate sleep schedule that allows for the proper rest of your body.
If you experience difficulty with conception, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options.
