Lifestyle can affect your fertility! It’s true. Is there a link between testicular temperature and fertility? Does doing exercise or sports affect fertility? How do diet and weight affect fertility?Can stress, drinking, smoking and drug use affect fertility? Let’s know some best information to Prepare for pregnancy
How long does it take for lifestyle changes to have a positive impact on fertility?
There are still many, many questions…
You might be surprised at how much of an impact your lifestyle can have on your fertility. From what you eat to how you spend your time, the choices you make can have a real impact on how easy it is to conceive.
Happily, this means there are plenty of things you can do to improve your fertility. If you’re trying to start a family, making some simple changes may increase your chances of success.
Is there a link between testicular temperature and fertility?
Sperm is healthiest when it’s a few degrees below normal body temperature. Research shows that raising the temperature of your testicles can lead to lower sperm quality and slower sperm production. This could reduce your fertility.
When you’re trying to conceive, you may want to avoid anything that might raise your groin temperature, such as:
Sitting still for long periods of time, especially when driving long distances
Hot baths and saunas
Using laptop on lap
Wear tight underwear
Avoiding these things won’t necessarily improve your fertility, but if you’re having trouble conceiving and want to improve your chances, it’s certainly worth a try.
Working in a hot environment, such as a foundry or bakery, can also raise your testicular temperature. If you feel comfortable enough, you can ask your manager if there are ways to reduce the amount of heat you’re regularly exposed to. For example, maybe you could take extra breaks, or work in a different area for a few months.
Does doing exercise or sports affect fertility?
In most cases, moderate exercise is good for fertility. It helps keep you at a healthy weight, which is important for normal sperm production. A good workout also helps relieve stress, which can be another contributing factor to male infertility.
You may have heard suggestions that cycling can cause fertility problems. However, a large 2014 study of amateur cyclists found no link between moderate cycling and infertility. So if you regularly cycle for commuting, or cycle regularly as a hobby, it’s unlikely to affect your fertility.
However, in some cases, exercise may do more harm than good. For example, if your BMI is already below 18.5 and you’re very active, consider cutting back on your activity to a less rigorous exercise regimen. This could improve your chances of conceiving by helping you reach a healthy weight.
Intensive, prolonged exercise may also lead to poorer sperm quality. For example, studies have found that triathletes have poorer sperm quality than those who participate in more game-like sports such as tennis or basketball.
Finally, if you play contact sports like rugby, you may want to wear padded underwear or cups. This may help prevent or reduce the effects of a groin injury. While testicular injuries are uncommon, wearing protective gear may give you extra peace of mind.
How do diet and weight affect fertility?
Having a healthy diet is especially important when you’re trying to conceive. Eating a range of foods will help you get all the nutrients you need for healthy sperm.
Some nutrients, such as vitamin A and beta-carotene, are rich in chemicals called antioxidants, which are generally thought to protect cells from damage. There is some evidence that some antioxidants can improve sperm quality in men with fertility problems. But more research is needed to determine which antioxidants are best.
Some experts suggest that certain vitamins may be especially important for good fertility. A combination of folic acid and zinc has shown promise in early research, however more research is needed.
If you know you have a low sperm count or poor sperm quality, ask your fertility specialist for advice about diet.
How much you eat and how much exercise you get also plays a role. Maintaining a healthy weight can help keep your sperm in good shape.
Being overweight ( with a body mass index , or BMI, of 25 or more) can reduce the quality and quantity of your sperm by up to a quarter. If you’re obese (with a BMI of 30 or more), the effects are even greater.
If you are obese, losing weight before trying to have a baby may improve the quality of your sperm. Talk to your GP about the best ways to lose weight, or ask if she can refer you to a dietitian.
Can stress affect fertility?
Research has shown a relationship between severe stress and lower sperm quality. However, we cannot be sure whether stress causes the problem or whether men with infertility issues are more stressed than other people anyway.
Many experts believe that stress and depression can affect your hormone balance, which can cause problems with your sperm production. Emotional problems can also affect your relationship with your partner and reduce your libido, making you less willing to have sex.
If you’re trying to conceive, take time to relax and decompress when you can. Go for a swim or a walk, or play a sport you enjoy. Moderate exercise is a proven stress buster and is also good for your overall health.
Be in a good mood no matter what.
Does drinking alcohol affect fertility?
Drinking within these limits is unlikely to affect your sperm quality. It’s a good idea to use this number as your upper limit if you’re trying to get pregnant. Men who regularly drink heavily have lower sperm counts and testosterone levels.
Heavy drinking can also cause relationship problems, reduce your sex drive, and make it harder to get or maintain an erection. So there are a lot of good reasons to stay within the recommended limits.
The good news is that the effects of heavy drinking are quickly reversed once you reduce your alcohol intake. If you are normally a heavy drinker, cutting back now will improve your chances of conceiving.
Does smoking affect fertility?
Yes. Not only is smoking generally bad for your health, but it can also harm the quality of your sperm. If you smoke, it may take longer for you and your partner to get pregnant, especially if you smoke heavily.
There hasn’t been as much research on e-cigarettes as there has on smoking. While they may be less harmful than cigarettes, studies have shown that nicotine alone may be bad for your sperm, and we don’t know what effects other chemicals may have. So, to be safe, you may prefer to try to quit smoking altogether.
Quitting smoking is easier said than done. But if you want to have a baby, now is the best time. Babies who smoke are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other infections and breathing problems.
If your partner also smokes, you’ll both be more likely to quit successfully if you quit together. Your GP will also be able to offer advice and support, or you can try the NHS’s smoke-free website. You can also take a look at our tips on how to deal with cravings.
Will medication use affect fertility?
Certain over-the-counter, prescription, and illegal drugs can negatively affect your fertility. There isn’t a lot of research on illegal drugs and fertility, but we do know that anabolic steroids , marijuana, and cocaine can all affect sperm quality.
These are just some of the most common medications. Other medications and medical treatments may also have an impact on your fertility.
If you are concerned about the effects of any medicine you are taking, please seek advice from your GP. She will not judge you and will be able to give you confidential advice and support.
How long does it take for lifestyle changes to have a positive impact on fertility?
Your body takes about three months to complete one sperm production cycle, so any changes you make to your lifestyle today will take at least that long to improve your fertility.
If you’ve made healthy changes to your lifestyle but you’ve been trying for more than a year, see your doctor with your partner. If she’s over 35, go again after six months. Your GP can give you further advice about getting pregnant and refer you to a fertility specialist if you’re eligible.
Find out if you should see your GP before trying to have a baby, and what effect too much sex might have on your sperm
