Fertility is the capability to bear a child whereas infertility is defined as the inability to become pregnant even after a long duration of unprotected intercourse. A large number of women around the world are affected by this.

The lifestyle of a person has a dramatic effect on the general health & capacity to reproduce. Issues such as smoking & obesity can affect general health. There has been a lot of evidence that lifestyle factors can impact on reproductive performance. For example, smoking in women significantly decreases the chance of conception.

Age-Related:

It is a proven fact that the rate of pregnancy declines with the increase of age. It takes longer duration for the women aged more than 35 years to conceive. It is also attributed to the increasing age of men.

Smoking:

Cigarette smoking has an adverse effect on fertility. In males, smoking affects sperm production and motility. Among women, menopause has been reported to occur 1-4 years earlier for those who smoke.

Obesity:

Obesity is associated with a wide range of health consequences. It can even impact reproduction by causing hormonal imbalance & ovulatory dysfunction.

Diet:

Having a proper diet optimises physical & psychological health. Regular exercise improves an individual’s general health & the capacity to reproduce. Couples attempting pregnancy should have a good mix of exercise & well-balanced diet in their lifestyle.

Alcohol:

Consumption of alcohol in excess leads to a decline in fertility. Especially a pregnant woman should avoid alcohol completely as it affects the foetus.

Opportunities for Help & Conclusion:

Motivating people to modify their lifestyle is difficult & challenging. It requires time, considerable effort & motivation. Counselling & advice has shown to bring out the best results.

The standard & pattern of lifestyle has a big influence on the fertility of a person. Positive modification of health & lifestyle is important to decrease the chances of infertility. Awareness & education of a healthy lifestyle is important to avoid or reduce infertility.