Sometimes infertility is caused by some disease or medical condition that occurred at birth or throughout the patient’s life. However, there are a number of external factors that can affect fertility, such as:
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Drug use
- Diet
Tobacco and the search for pregnancy
The effects of tobacco are harmful, since in addition to causing pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, its use can affect reproduction in both men and women.
Tobacco can also cause menstrual, cervical and fallopian tube problems, as well as increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
In men, tobacco use has been linked to lower semen quality.
For all these reasons, specialists in Assisted Reproduction recommend that all couples trying to become pregnant stop smoking or considerably reduce their tobacco consumption, especially in those cases where there is no apparent cause of infertility.
Alcohol and the search for pregnancy
Excessive alcohol consumption can significantly affect the reproductive process.
In the case of men who ingest large amounts of alcohol, testosterone levels are reduced. In women, alcohol affects menstrual cycles and can cause anovulation. It also increases the possibility of miscarriages and severe birth defects, known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
Toxics and pregnancy search
Among the toxicants that most affect fertility are:
- Drugs, since they can affect the gametes at the genetic level, as in the case of LSD, or produce problems in spermatogenesis, in the case of marijuana.
- The ingestion of anabolic agents can cause sterility.
Diet and the search for pregnancy
Both men and women should try to eat healthily if they are trying to have a baby, since a poor diet can affect fertility.
It is advisable to:
- Follow a varied diet, in which all types of nutrients are ingested.
- Avoid fats.
- Provide the vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal reproductive function.
- A diet low in calories or deficient in nutrients, as well as being overweight, can impair ovulation.
- Reduce caffeine intake.
- Ingest considerable amounts of calcium, folic acid, vitamin C and zinc.
Therefore, those couples trying to become pregnant or undergoing assisted reproduction treatment should lead a quiet life and follow consistent hygienic and nutritional standards.