Lifestyle Factors that Affect Fertility

Although there are many factors that affect fertility, lifestyle habits play a major role. At Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health, we want to help you make healthy choices in order to increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy, which is why we will educate you about the lifestyle factors that affect fertility.

Contact our Scottsdale, AZ or Gilbert, AZ fertility clinic today to schedule an appointment and learn more about recommended lifestyle changes for fertility.

Diet and Exercise

Although there are no specific foods you can eat to guarantee fertility, you should maintain a balanced diet that is rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and protein to promote your overall health. We also recommend limiting your caffeine consumption. Since heavy alcohol use has been associated with ovulation disorders, which can compromise your fertility, you should reduce your alcohol consumption or stop drinking alcoholic beverages altogether.

There may be a connection between fertility and exercise, so in addition to eating right, a moderate amount of regular exercise is another important part of maintaining good overall health. However, too much vigorous exercise can inhibit ovulation and negatively affect hormone production. During your consultation, your doctor will help you better understand the level of exercise for fertility that is best for you.

Other Lifestyle Factors that Affect Fertility

In addition to discussing diet and exercise, your doctor will also explain how other lifestyle choices can affect your fertility. There are several important lifestyle choices you can make to promote fertility, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: You should try to remain within a normal weight range. Being severely overweight — as well as being significantly underweight — can inhibit regular egg release, so your doctor may recommend that you gain or lose weight.
• Attending regular checkups: It is important to schedule regular visits with your doctor, which will allow for early detection of any conditions that could affect your fertility. Since sexually transmitted diseases can lead to complications during pregnancy, your doctor will also test for these and recommend a course of treatment, if necessary.
• Avoiding smoking: Smoking can compromise the quality of eggs, so you should refrain from smoking if you are trying to become pregnant.

What Kind of Diagnostic Testing Do You Offer?

Although diet, exercise, and lifestyle are important factors in becoming pregnant, sometimes lifestyle adjustments are not enough for conception to occur. At Arizona Associates for Reproductive Health, we offer comprehensive fertility testing to determine reasons you and your partner may be experiencing difficulty. Your doctor may recommend testing to analyze your ovulation patterns, the quality and quantity of your eggs, your hormones, or your anatomy. Testing for your partner may include semen analysis, blood tests, an ultrasound, or other tests. Once we determine what may be affecting your fertility, we can design a custom treatment plan to help you and your partner move closer toward your goals.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about lifestyle choices that promote fertility, contact our practice today and schedule a consultation. During your appointment, we will take all the time necessary to provide you with comprehensive guidelines about how you can increase your chances of conception, address underlying factors that affect fertility and boost your overall fertility health.