Fertility refers to the ability to conceive and have children. There are many factors that can affect fertility in both men and women. Understanding these factors is important for couples trying to get pregnant. The five main factors that impact fertility are: age, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, genetics, and environmental toxins.
Age
Age is one of the most important factors when it comes to fertility. As both men and women get older, their fertility declines. This decline starts gradually in the early 30s and accelerates after age 35.
For women, the decline is more pronounced because women are born with a set number of eggs that declines as they age. By age 30, a woman’s chance of getting pregnant starts to slowly decline. By age 35, a woman’s fertility takes a steep decline. By 40, the chance of getting pregnant drops dramatically.
For men, fertility also declines with age, but not as abruptly as in women. Older men may experience decreased sex drive, difficulty achieving erections, and lower sperm counts. Sperm motility and morphology also decline.
The decline of fertility with age is primarily due to reduced quantity and quality of eggs and sperm. Chromosomal abnormalities in eggs and sperm rise with age, increasing the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
Key Facts on Fertility and Age
- For women in their early 30s, the monthly chance of getting pregnant is about 20%. By late 30s, this drops to 10%, and by 40, it’s only 5%.
- At age 35, the risk of miscarriage is 20%. By age 40, the risk rises to over 50%.
- For men over age 40, fertility rates are about half as compared to men under 40.
While age affects fertility for both men and women, women’s biological clock has a more pressing deadline. Taking age into account and not delaying pregnancy for too long is important when planning a family.
Lifestyle Habits
Unhealthy lifestyle habits can negatively impact fertility in many ways. Leading a healthy lifestyle, on the other hand, can help maintain and even improve fertility. Key lifestyle factors that affect fertility include:
Diet
Eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy body weight optimizes fertility. Being overweight or underweight disrupts hormonal balance and ovulation. A diet high in trans and saturated fats has also been linked with reduced fertility.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, healthy fats, and anti-oxidant rich foods help provide the vitamins and minerals needed for good reproductive health.
Exercise
Regular exercise has been associated with improved fertility outcomes. However, excessive exercise that leads to very low body weight can disrupt menstrual cycles and fertility.
Aim for a balance – 150 minutes per week of moderate activity helps maintain fertility while also providing overall health.
Smoking
Smoking has clearly been linked to reduced fertility in both men and women. It increases risks of genetic abnormalities and miscarriage. Exposure to second-hand smoke also impairs fertility.
Quitting smoking improves fertility. For men who stop smoking, sperm quality improves in 3-6 months.
Alcohol
Heavy or chronic alcohol use can lead to permanent damage to the testicles and ovaries. It disrupts hormone production and inhibits ovulation and sperm production.
However, moderate alcohol consumption has not been shown to affect fertility – 1-2 drinks per day is considered safe. Binge drinking should be avoided.
Stress
Being in a constant state of high stress produces hormones that can interfere with ovulation, sperm production and libido. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, exercise, or counselling can help improve fertility.
Caffeine
Excessive caffeine consumption, more than 5 cups per day, may be related to reduced fertility. Limiting caffeine intake or replacing it with decaf may improve outcomes when trying to conceive.
Drug Use
Use of recreational drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines negatively affect fertility and should be avoided when trying to get pregnant. Anabolic steroids and opioids can disrupt hormone levels.
Medical Conditions
Many medical conditions can impact fertility in both men and women. Having certain chronic health conditions and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reduces the chances of getting pregnant.
Some key medical conditions that affect fertility include:
Ovulation disorders
Irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation prevents pregnancy. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and primary ovarian insufficiency are common causes. Treatment with fertility drugs helps induce ovulation.
Blocked Fallopian tubes
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent eggs from reaching the uterus. Causes include pelvic inflammatory disease, past infections, or endometriosis. Laparoscopic surgery may help open blocked tubes.
Uterine or cervical issues
Problems affecting the structure and function of the uterus and cervix like fibroids, benign polyps or incompetent cervix make it difficult to carry a pregnancy. Surgery, medication or cervical cerclage help correct anatomical issues.
Endometriosis
Endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus creates inflammation and scarring that can impact fertility. Laparoscopic surgery helps remove endometrial lesions.
Male factor infertility
Low sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and abnormally shaped sperm affect male fertility. Possible causes include varicocele, infections, abnormalities like undescended testes, or hormonal problems. Treatment depends on the specific cause.
Chronic conditions
Chronic medical conditions like diabetes, thyroid disease, Cushing’s syndrome and autoimmune disorders can impair fertility by causing hormonal imbalances. Controlling the underlying condition improves fertility prospects.
Sexually transmitted infections
Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammation and damage reproductive organs. Safe sex practices reduce exposure risk. Antibiotic treatment helps but permanent damage may affect fertility.
Genetics
Genetic factors influence fertility in some cases. A family history of certain conditions like endometriosis or problems with ovulation suggests a possible genetic link.
Genetic testing before conception can reveal potential risks for passing on mutations that cause disorders. Genetic counselling provides guidance when genetic issues are suspected.
Some examples of genetic conditions related to infertility include:
- Chromosomal abnormalities – Errors during cell division causing irregular number of chromosomes. Down’s syndrome is one example.
- Single gene mutations – Changes in a single gene causing diseases like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia that affect health and fertility.
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome – This hormonal disorder causing ovulation problems may have a genetic basis.
- Uterine fibroids – Fibroid tumors in the uterus have a tendency to run in families.
- Early menopause – Premature ovarian insufficiency arising before 40 years of age can be genetic.
Understanding any potential genetic risks before attempting pregnancy allows for proper counselling and management.
Environmental Toxins
Toxic chemicals in our environment and diet have been linked to reduced fertility:
Pesticides
Pesticide residues on fruits, vegetables and other foods as well as pesticides used around the home contain chemicals that act as hormone disruptors and may impair fertility as well as increase miscarriage risks. Eating organic when possible helps minimize exposure.
Soft plastics
Chemicals like BPA and phthalates used in food containers, plastic bottles, packaging and toys may leach into food and drinks and get absorbed into the body. These substances negatively affect the endocrine system and fertility. Using glass, stainless steel or BPA-free plastics reduces exposure.
Cosmetics
Parabens and other chemicals in personal care products penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, acting as hormone disruptors. Choosing ‘clean’ natural products minimizes toxin absorption.
Heavy metals
Lead, mercury and other metals prevalent as environmental pollutants and in some foods disrupt hormones and are associated with decreased fertility and higher miscarriage rates. Eating lower mercury fish options and minimizing exposure from old paint and contaminated drinking water reduce risks.
Air pollution
Poor air quality and vehicle exhaust contain particulate matter and gases like nitrous oxide that are thought to precipitate infertility issues through hormonal side effects. Living in areas with cleaner air and avoiding long commutes can help.
Conclusion
Age, lifestyle habits, medical conditions, genetics and toxins in our surroundings all influence fertility in men and women. Understanding these factors allows people to make changes to optimize their chances of conception.
Seeking timely medical guidance and taking active measures to develop a healthy lifestyle, manage chronic conditions, minimize genetic risks and limit exposure to environmental pollutants all have positive effects.
Fertility varies greatly person-to-person based on a mix of all these elements. While some factors are beyond our control, taking proactive steps to improve well-being and preserve reproductive health greatly benefits those trying for a baby.