8 Surprising Things That Can Impact Fertility | Martinez, GA Birth Photographer
I’m a mom who never struggled to get pregnant until after I got pregnant with an IUD and it was ectopic. We tried and tried for a year after that and I felt like we were doing all the things, but it never happened and mentally, I couldn’t try anymore. It’s a lot. So, I know how difficult and emotional this can be! Although, I can’t imagine struggles for years. It’s frustrating and disheartening when you're doing everything "right" but still not getting pregnant.
Today I’m sharing 8 surprising things that can impact fertility. While some factors like age and genetics cannot be changed, there are many other things that may be affecting your fertility without you even realizing it!
Remember, you are not alone!
Before we dive in, I just wanted to offer a quick friendly reminder that while this blog post provides helpful information, it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor if you're having fertility issues. This blog post is meant to be helpful and informative, but it's definitely not a substitute for medical advice.
Okay, now let's get started!
Stress:
Turns out that the daily stressors of adulting can actually impact your fertility. Stress can mess with ovulation, disrupt the menstrual cycle, and even decrease sperm count in men.
But the fact that you’re struggling to get pregnant IS stressful! It’s a vicious cycle. Maybe that’s why I hear lots of stories of it was only when a couple decided to STOP trying that they actually got pregnant. Suddenly, that stress was gone.
Easier said than done, though.
Think about finding fun ways to reduce your stress levels, such as meditation, yoga, walks with your spouse/significant other, or therapy.
According to a study, women with high levels of alpha-amylase, a biomarker for stress, were found to have a lower chance of getting pregnant compared to women with lower levels of the biomarker (Lynch et al., 2014).
Lack of Sleep:
Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health, and it also plays a significant role in fertility. A lack of sleep can disrupt hormonal balance, decrease sperm count, and even cause irregular periods.
A 2022 study found that women who slept for less than six hours per night had a higher risk of infertility compared to women who slept for seven to eight hours per night (Poli et al., 2018).
If you’re struggling to get enough sleep right now due to maybe having a new baby, your work schedule, stress, or who knows why, try a 10 minute full body stretch and taking magnesium glycinate before bed. This has helped me so much! When I forget either of those two simple things, I absolutely notice that my sleep suffers.
Poor Diet:
My diet is definitely NOT perfect, but…
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for your fertility. Foods that are high in processed sugars and unhealthy fats can interfere with hormonal balance and decrease sperm count.
An easy way to get more fruits and veggies into your diet is to buy them frozen. Frozen fruits and veggies are just as nutritious as buying them fresh, but they don’t go bad as quickly.
Additionally, many grocery stores now offer pre-chopped or pre-washed produce options that make healthy eating even easier! I love a good pre-packaged salad! probably not the best, but hey, it’s better than nothing.
Environmental Toxins:
Turns out, the environment we live in is full of toxins that can mess with our baby-making abilities. From nasty pesticides to harmful phthalates, these sneaky little devils can affect both men and women. But hey, don't sweat it! Just opt for organic produce, natural cleaning products, and say goodbye to those plastic containers with BPA. Easy peasy, right?
I swapped my plastic leftover containers and mixing bowls out for glass, metal, and ceramic and my non-stick pots and pans for stainless steal and cast iron. It took time, but I love it! I’m a fan of Mrs. Meyers all-purpose cleaning spray and use it for most things. I trying to keep cleaning products to a minimum. I have the all-purpose cleaning spray, Mrs. Meyers dish soap, Pine-sol for mopping (not natural), and Lysol toilet bowl cleaner (definitely not natural), and a window cleaner (not natural either).
Yep, I’m far from perfect, but I have come a long way and this is what works for me in this season. I’ve eliminated a lot and try to make the things I touch and breath in on a more frequent basis my priority.
You can read more on this study here, it’s quite interesting! https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6396757/
Alcohol:
While moderate alcohol consumption is generally considered safe, heavy drinking can have a significant impact on fertility. Heavy alcohol consumption can decrease sperm count, disrupt hormonal balance, and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5504800/
Over-Exercising:
I see you, you Lulu wearing Peloton enthusiast. ;)
Sure, exercise is great for your overall health, but did you know that too much of it can actually be harmful to your fertility? Over-exercising can mess with your hormonal balance, decrease sperm count, and even cause irregular periods in women. So, don't go overboard with your fitness routine. Aim for a moderate exercise routine that includes a mix of cardio and strength training.
Poor dental health
As if we didn’t have enough reasons to go to the dentist regularly, now we can add “helping with fertility” to the list!
Poor dental health and gum disease have been linked to fertility problems in both men and women. Bacteria from gum disease can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation, which can affect fertility.
Personally, I’m terrible at going to the dentist, not because I hate it, but prioritizing my own health seems to always take a back seat. Don’t be me. Go to the dentist.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8812457/
Vitamin D deficiency:
This sunshine vitamin is a big player with fertility, regulating hormone levels and making sure those little eggs and swimmers develop healthily. If you're lacking in vitamin D, your fertility might suffer!
Turns out most people are deficient in Vitamin D.
So, get out there and soak up some sun or take a supplement. I go in phases of taking a supplement, but I do try to go lay in the yard or on the back deck while I mindlessly scroll on social media and take my kids to a park or the lake on nice days.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22275473/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
All these factors can have a big impact on your hormones and if your hormones are out of whack it makes things so much harder, not just to get pregnant, but chronic fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, anxiety, trouble sleeping, depression are just a few side effects of unbalanced hormones.
I have been on what feels like a lifelong battle against depression, fatigue, and stubborn body fat and I was super surprised to learn that beef organs can be a huge help in balancing things out. I’m personally not about to eat beef liver, so I found a high quality supplement of female beef organs and I’m taking a break from my multi-vitamin to see if they help.
Fertility is a complex issue, and there are many factors that can impact your ability to conceive. By being aware of these 8 lesser known things that can affect your fertility, you can take steps to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Happy baby making!
