Life
6 Daily Habits That May Be Hurting Your Fertility
For many women, trying for a baby is a phase in their life that couldn't come soon enough. For others, the thought of having a kid may seem far, far away. Either way, if motherhood has ever crossed your mind, making sure you're not doing things that may hurt your fertility is probably a safe bet if you're the extra-cautious type. Regardless of how you currently feel about bearing a child, what you do in your life now could very well affect your chances of conceiving later.
Though certain lifestyle choices can have an impact on your fertility, there's no need to panic and feel the need to completely restructure your life in hopes of having a baby at a later time. Though there's no one rule to improving your fertility, trying to keep your body as healthy as possible can help make the process easier, so try not to participate in these six habits to avoid hurting your fertility.
Image: Getty Images
Having Stress In Your Life
Chronic stress is never a good thing for your body, and that includes fertility. “It’s very difficult for studies to assess the effects of stress on fertility, but as a physician who has been practicing fertility for many years, I have observed stress’s impact on many different occasions,” says fertility specialist Dr. Shahin Ghadir of Southern California Reproductive Center. “Just make sure you are aware of when your stress levels begins to affect your health and normal functioning as a human being.”
Image: Fotolia
Using Beauty Products Frequently
Using hairspray during your morning routine may seem harmless, but chemicals present in certain beauty products can actually be endocrine disruptors, meaning they mimick or interfere with hormones like estrogen. “Phthalates are a group of synthetic chemicals that can be found in scented products, nail polish, hairspray, and perfume,” says Dr. Carolyn Alexander of SCRC. ”The most commonly used phthalate in cosmetics is Diethylphthalate (DEP), which is in toiletries such as soap, shampoo, and conditioners.”
Image: Getty Images
Drinking Alcohol
Studies have shown that alcohol consumption can have an affect on your fertility, but don’t panic about giving up happy hour just quite yet. You don’t need to skip alcohol altogether — just cut down to a few drinks per week for to optimize your chances of conceiving.
Image: Fotolia
Consuming Pesticides
Organic food doesn’t make a difference? Think again. ”The chemicals that we pump into the ground may come back and affect our endocrine system and fertility,” says Dr. Alexander. Studies have found that pesticide use can interfere with female hormone function, which can lead to reproductive issues.
Image: Getty Images
Smoking
Most of us know that smoking can cause a variety of health issues, but many don’t realize the effect it can have on your fertility. “Smoking tobacco affects fertility in both men and women,” says Dr. Ghadir. “It deteriorates the quality of eggs and sperm.” And ladies, once those eggs are gone, they’re gone. Studies have found that infertility rates in smokers are double that of non-smokers.
Image: Getty Images
Eating Junk Food
“Keeping yourself as healthy as possible, with a well-balanced diet high in antioxidants, is going to be beneficial during your reproductive years,” says Dr. Ghadir. Avoid too much sugar or foods that are processed and high in trans fat.
Image: Getty Images
