Safeguarding Fertility

Most people are unaware of the fact that humans are one of the least fertile creatures on earth. Because conception is possible only during a fairly short period within the menstrual cycle, the chances of successfully conceiving is only around 25% each month among fertile couples.

There are many things that can go wrong with an individual’s reproductive system at any time preventing them from conceiving. Congenital disorders, anatomical disorders, disease and dysfunctions, aging and lifestyle factors can all impact one’s fertility. It is important to protect and safeguard your fertility and as everyone knows, prevention is better than running around in circles trying to put right what could have been avoided if one had been more careful in the first place. Given below are some do's and don'ts to safeguard your fertility.

1. Eat right and control your weight: What you eat impacts your fertility. A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and calcium rich foods increase chances of conception and giving birth to a healthy baby. Not getting sufficient quantities of certain vitamins and nutrients such as Vitamins C and E, zinc and folic acid can adversely affect periods in women.

   Being drastically underweight or being obese can also negatively impact your fertility. So, find out what your ideal weight should be and work at maintaining it.

2. Exercise: Moderate, regular exercise is essential for good health and is strongly recommended. However, excessive exercise can have a negative impact on your fertility. Fanatic or excessive exercising can result in irregular periods and irregular ovulation in women.
3. Quit smoking: Besides the various obvious health problems associated with smoking, it is less well known but true that smoking can adversely affect the fertility of both men and women. Studies have shown that smokers are 30% less fertile than those who do not smoke. Smoking can have a negative impact on almost all aspects of fertility including its effect on ovulation, fertilization and even initial embryo development.
4. Avoid alcohol: Alcohol has adverse reproductive effects that range from infertility and increased risk of spontaneous abortion to impaired fetal growth and development.
5. Avoid stress: If you are stressed, work at reducing your stress levels. Studies indicate that women who are stressed out could have shorter menstrual cycles thus affecting their fertility.
6. Plan on having your baby before 40: Giving birth after the age of 40 increases the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Also, chances of successfully conceiving drop from around 20% to around 5% after you cross 40.
7. Avoid PID (pelvic inflammatory disease): PID can cause irreparable damage to your pelvic organs including the cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. While the primary cause of PID is on account of untreated sexually transmitted diseases, douching, IUDs, abortions, amniocentesis, miscarriage or childbirth could also be a cause.
8. Avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): STD is the primary cause for PID. Many STDs do not display symptoms and as a result, many women are unaware of the damage being inflicted on their reproductive organs until it is too late. Protect your fertility by practicing safe sex and routinely checking for sexually transmitted diseases.