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“MODERN LIFESTYLE,” as we call it, is a mix of sedentary habits, urgency concerning work, stress-bound daily routine, environmental changes, dietary habits, lifestyle choices, technology, entertainment, comfort, and whatnot. However, this digital era accompanies a new curve of challenges for people wishing to embark on their journey of parenthood.

While we are all happy about the era and the lifestyle we enjoy, it is necessary to stop for once, be serious, and understand the effect of the modern lifestyle on fertility. It is because the issues concerning infertility are on the rise. As the best IVF center in Ahmedabad, we are responsible for educating you on the precarious influence of stress, chemicals, and poor diet on fertility. So, let’s explore and understand these factors without further due.

Stress:

People often struggle with stress and its impact on their health today, but let us understand how it affects fertility.

Effect on Testosterone Production

Men often stress about their employment, business, and future. As a result, those suffering are at high risk of hypogonadism, which refers to the decrease in the activities of gonads responsible for producing hormones and sperm. It is one of the primary factors affecting male infertility and is represented by the decline in testosterone production.

Effect on Adrenaline

Human bodies, along with cortisol, release adrenaline at stressful times. However, its excessive release and presence can lead to fertility concerns, making the body unsuitable for conception.

Progesterone is a crucial hormone that contributes to female fertility and conception. High levels of progesterone can hinder the functional activity of this hormone. In addition, excessive adrenaline can also lead to prolactin release, a polypeptide hormone that is primarily connected with infertility.

Effect on GnRH

GnRH, an acronym for Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone, highly influences reproductive health. Studies figured out that excessive stress can increase the cortisol level in the blood, ultimately limiting the GnRH secretion that leads to infertility. Please note that the levels of this hormone equally affect the reproductive well-being of both genders.

Food and Eating Habits:

Who doesn’t love to eat or try varieties of food and drinks? But what’s not to love is the excess consumption of anything. Eating habits can trigger infertility, and some foods and beverages can highly influence infertility.

Caffeine

Tea and coffee are common beverages globally, and the caffeine they contain is relatively more natural than carbonated drinks. The caffeine content in fizzy drinks negatively affects reproductive health, especially those of males. Studies suggest that excessive caffeine intake affects the quality and viability of sperm in the long run.

Whereas, in females, it negatively influences the activities of fallopian tubes, ultimately making it difficult for the egg to travel for fertilization to the womb. It decreases the chances of conceiving and gives rise to infertility.

Red meat

Lean protein obtained from turkey, fish, and chicken is known to be good for reproductive health. However, protein from the excessive consumption of red meats like goat, mutton, and beef might be unhealthy in the long term. The high content of arachidonic acid in red meat can lead to inflammation, ultimately raising concerns for female infertility.

In addition, red meat contains xenobiotics in good amounts which hinders the fetus’s development in utero. Therefore, excessive red meat can affect not only infertility but also pregnancy. Be careful and calculative with the intake.

Alcohol

For some, alcohol is an addiction, for some, it is joy, but for fertility, it is quite dangerous. According to multiple studies, excessive consumption of alcohol directly affects the quality of sperm in males. In addition, it can also lead to hypogonadism which leads to poor sperm count and quality.

In women, hepatic congestion is one of the infertility reasons, and this condition can be triggered by heavy alcohol consumption that affects the liver. The condition basically affects the hormonal levels, which in turn affects the ovulation process and chances of conception.

Foods Low in Fat

All of us have heard not to eat fatty foods while growing up, but we didn’t-didn’t know that good or healthy fat can make a positive difference, especially regarding reproductive health and fertility.

Studies found that females sticking to a low-fat diet face ovulatory concerns that can lead to infertility if ignored. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that has a good effect on female reproductive health, reducing the risk of endometriosis, one of the primary factors of female infertility.

Sweets

High consumption of sweets directly influences hormonal levels and obesity, two known triggers of male and female infertility. Obesity directly relates to PCOD (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which is one factor affecting female fertility. In addition, females with SHBG can experience decreased libido, which can trigger infertility issues in the long run.

Whereas, in males, excessive fat can lead to the secretion of estrogen that reduces the effect of androgen in blood, leading to low sperm count or production.

Chemical Hazards:

Today, every one of us comes across a toxic composition of chemicals that we use in our routine lives. These products are developed using technology, and however useful they may appear, they are actually hazardous to fertility. Even though there are several such products, let us understand some that we use daily.

Plastic Containers

Be it a home or an office, it is common to spot plastic containers or bottles everywhere. But have you wondered about the adverse effect of them?

Well, plastic bottles and containers contain Bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxic chemical that has a direct connection with low sperm count in men. Moreover, BPA influences ovarian reserve in females, which can lead to infertility in the long run.

Apart from BPA, the presence of phthalates in personal care and vinyl products contribute to the poor quality of sperm and sperm DNA fragmentation which are primary causes of infertility in men.

Cookware

Non-stick utensils or cookware, particularly ones made with low-quality materials like Perfluoroalkyl acids and Teflon, can affect fertility. High exposure to such materials can hinder the ovulation cycles, and as a result, they contribute to irregular menstrual cycles. In addition, materials like Teflon can affect the quality of sperm in males, which in turn raises concerns for male infertility.

Soaps and Detergents

Not only low-quality materials or plastic containers but high use of toxic soap and detergents can also affect fertility, especially in males. It has a direct impact on the quality and count of their sperm. Moreover, the presence of nonylphenol in the detergent increases the chances of infertility.

Wrapping Up

Whether male or female, lifestyle choices will affect fertility positively or negatively, this blog was all about how excessive stress, exposure to chemicals, and dietary habits affect fertility. However, with the development of healthcare technologies like IVF, it is possible to experience the joy of parenthood.

All you need to do is visit our best women’s hospital in Ahmedabad, and let our IVF experts identify issues to proceed with the ideal treatment.