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Fertility Specialist: What Are the Risk Factors for Infertility?

     

    Infertility can be avoided if people take care of their bodies and are more mindful of their health. As frustrating and difficult as it may be to stop certain habits, it’s for the best. According to the New York Fertility Institute, treatment for infertility can be avoided if you manage the following risk factors.

    Smoking

    Apart from smoking damaging your cervix, it damages your Fallopian tubes.  Besides, smoking increases the risks of having a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.   Smoking cigarettes ages your ovaries which depletes your eggs prematurely. Therefore, stop smoking before you start your fertility treatment.

    Sexual History

    Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia damage your Fallopian tubes. You shouldn’t have unprotected sex with multiple partners as chances of getting sexually transmitted infections are higher. This can lead to infertility later.

    Weight of BMI

    Overweight women have problems experiencing normal ovulation. The same goes to the significantly underweight as your normal ovulation is also affected. Strive to maintain a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) to increase the frequency of your ovulation and chances of conceiving or getting pregnant.

    Alcohol

    Consume alcohol in moderation if you want to remain healthy and increase your chances of conceiving. You can partake in one drink per day.

    Age

    The quantity and quality of a woman’s eggs decline with the advancement in age. As you hit your mid-30s, you experience a high rate of follicle loss. This results in having poorer and fewer quality eggs. With this, conception definitely gets difficult. Plus, you have a higher chance of getting a miscarriage.

    How to Prevent Infertility Risk Factors

    For women still wanting to get pregnant in the near future or soon, follow the tips below to increase your fertility.

    Maintain a Healthy BMI or Normal Weight

    Underweight and overweight women have a higher risk of ovulation disorders.  Therefore, you need to gain weight and lose weight respectively. Plus, engage in moderate exercise. Avoid strenuous or intense exercise of over 5 hours a week as it’s linked with a decrease in ovulation. 

    Quit Smoking

    Tobacco has many negative effects including fertility. Besides, your general health suffers as well as your healthy fetus. Quit now if you are considering getting pregnant.

    Quit Partaking in Alcohol

    Heavy alcohol consumption leads to decreased fertility. Alcohol intake affects the health of your developing fetus. Therefore, if you want some hope of becoming a mother, never drink alcohol while pregnant.

    Limit Caffeine

    Consuming less than 200mg per day of caffeine doesn’t affect your pregnancy. Therefore, ensure you don’t exceed that amount in a day. Basically, it translates to consuming no more than 6-8 ounces of coffee in a day.

    Reduce Stress

    Couples with psychological stress respond poorly to infertility treatment. Therefore, find a way to reduce stressors in your life before you start trying to get pregnant.

    Remember that to become pregnant, a woman needs to ovulate, have regular intercourse, have open Fallopian tubes, a normal uterus and your partner should have sperm.

    In case you have problems conceiving, the fertility specialist needs to start testing and treatment right away.