Prevention of Infertility

Effects of Smoking, Diet, Age, and Stress

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Most people don't notice symptoms of infertility until they attempt to become pregnant. And most people don't consider preventing infertility until it's too late. Some causes of infertility can be prevented or treated without medical intervention.

Smoking tobacco or marijuana

For men, smoking marijuana cuts the number of sperm and their motility. It may take three months after quitting to see an improvement. Cigarette smoking (and other tobacco use) does the same thing, but not as severely. For women, smoking decreases the age of menopause. It seems to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy and conception rates during IVF treatment.

Diet, exercise, and eating disorders

Although anyone can benefit from a good diet, most doctors believe that diet has little impact on fertility. However, eating disorders and excessive exercise can cause problems.

Good pre-conception care for women includes taking multi-vitamins and folic acid. Taking adequate folic acid (800 mg) before and during the early stages of pregnancy reduces the rate of neural tube defects, a development disorder that causes miscarriages. For men with low sperm counts, multivitamins may improve the number of sperm.

The eating disorders anorexia and bulimia can have long lasting impacts (several years) on fertility. Women with these conditions may not ovulate even if they menstruate. Eggs may not develop properly. In these cases, treating the disease is essential to restoring fertility.

Women who have high or low body fat levels or exercise excessively may stop ovulating, similar to anorectic women. Your doctor will likely recommend that you cut back on exercise or improve your diet.

Research has shown that a healthy diet can improve the function of the ovaries for women with polycystic ovarian disease.

STDs & PID

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a major cause of infertility in women. Any sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as gonorrhea or syphilis, may cause PID, which can lead to infertility. Prevent STDs by abstaining from sexual intercourse or by using condoms.

Age

After puberty, women become less fertile as they age. Fertility declines sharply after the age of 35, then again between 37 and 40. If possible, women should start to build a family in their twenties or early thirties. In addition, fertility treatments tend to be more successful in younger women, so seek treatment as soon as infertility is suspected.

Older women who are infertile can have success with donor eggs.

Timing & Position

A couple is only fertile for about six days each month. Using the basal body temperature, vaginal secretions, and other fertility signs, a couple can be certain that they are having intercourse when the woman is most likely to conceive.

Much is made of using the correct position and elevating the woman's pelvis, but during the most fertile times of the month, sperm are able to swim up to the uterus from any position. However, many consider the missionary position (man on top, face to face) the most successful because it allows deep penetration. The woman can elevate her pelvis with a pillow during intercourse and for about 15-20 minutes afterward so that gravity can assist the sperm in reaching their goal. After 20 minutes, all of the motile sperm will have made the trek. Any "leakage" won't reduce the likelihood of pregnancy.

Temperature

For men with low sperm counts, keeping the testicles cool may improve the motility of the available sperm. Avoid heat--stay out of hot tubs, wear loose-fitting garments, and avoid sitting for long periods. For men with normal sperm counts, heat doesn't seem to be a significant problem.

Stress

Does stress cause infertility or does infertility cause stress? Most doctors agree that reducing stress won't ensure pregnancy, but it may help a couple cope with infertility and making treatment decisions.

See a fertility specialist now
We're a national network of over 100 fertility specialists.