The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle in Fertility Solutions for Women

The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle in Fertility Solutions for Women

Most couples have been facing infertility issues in recent times. They are on the constant lookout for efficient & trustworthy fertility solutions. It is an instinct for couples to become parents after a certain period of being married. Becoming parents is a wholesome experience that is cherished till the last breath. Nurturing a child with the family values & beliefs that the couple were taught in their childhood is an exciting journey. Experiencing the “child’s firsts” is an unmatchable experience. Fertility solutions are a guiding light for couples who want to begin their parenthood journey. Considering today’s lifestyle & nutrition values majority of the couples are facing fertility complications.

 The factors that affect fertility in women are:

a. Age of both, the woman & her partner.

b. Hormonal levels

c. Health of the reproductive organs

d. Length of the time trying to conceive

e. Amount of stress in daily life.

Role of nutrition in fertility:

According to WHO, approximately 1 in 6 people globally are affected by infertility. Speaking in percentage, about 17.5% of couples experienced infertility in 2024. The ‘desk job lifestyle’ isn’t advised by medical experts. Besides several gynecological & systemic diseases that have an impact on women’s fertility index, there are some lifestyle & environmental conditions such as stressful jobs imbalanced diet & nutrition that contribute to reproduction safety in both women & men. Hormonal imbalance is another cause of infertility. Let’s explore about nutrition in detail:

a. Malnutrition

Inadequate nutrition intake is a common cause of infertility. In the list of fertility solutions, adequate nutrient intake is very much assumed by medical practitioners. It is so presumed that they may even forget to mention it, at times. Poor intake of proteins, fibers, vitamins, calcium, & minerals is affiliated with diminished reproductive performance. Inadequate nutrition is an extremely common cause of infertility in women after stress.

b. balanced meal

Not only for the woman but for the to-be father too, a balanced meal is necessary. Agreed that the main participation will of the woman in delivering the baby, but the man needs to be healthy too, to produce strong sperm as & when needed. Smoking, drinking alcohol, fatty foods, & no exercise are all causes of infertility. Not even one person among a couple is permitted to do these things in excess if they’re trying to be parents. A well-balanced meal including green-leafy vegetables, protein-rich foods, enough carbohydrates for energy & calcium & minerals to add to the energy levels is a big green flag.

 c. Weight inaccuracy

The weight of a person is often linked to his/her eating habits & the amount of activity. Body Mass Index is the reported number where if below 18.5 is considered underweight & over 30 is considered obese. The weight can be controlled as per a doctor’s instructions when planning a baby. By discussing with the doctor, the daily schedule of the couple, eating habits & the sleep cycle too, an ideal timetable can be followed if the couple isn’t able to conceive as easily.

Role of lifestyle in fertility:

Other than growing older, there are several lifestyle factors related to infertility. There are some fertility solutions laid down by medical experts that are advised for couples to follow regularly. Especially for women, following an ideal lifestyle is extremely necessary. It is for men as well, but after all, it is the woman who will give birth, isn’t it? Today, most infertilities are treatable requiring major procedures like Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In some cases, it becomes difficult for parents to conceive. Let’s explore more about the lifestyle factors in fertility solutions:

A. Stress

This component tops the list when it comes to fertility solutions. Women are already hard-working as they manage work & household responsibilities well. Juggling in between these dual aspects, a lot of uncalled-for stress persists. It contributes to being the primary cause of infertility as these symptoms escalate towards anxiety & depression. These symptoms are more frequently observed in infertile women than in fertile women. Tips & tricks for stress management can be implemented to de-stress. Following an active lifestyle regular exercising can give higher chances of conceiving.

b. Eating habits & body weight:

The reproductive system is directly influenced by the type of nutrition intake is taken by a female. Weight is directly affected by the imbalance in calorie & protein intake as incorrect food consumption is the root cause of weight gain. Also, being underweight doesn’t help in conceiving. Being over or underweight leads to misfunctioning of ovarian functions with a subsequent increase in infertility. As per the Nurses Health Study II, an ovulatory disorder in women whose food regimen contains low glycemic content & lesser intake of nutrients has a reduced risk of fertility. An underrated factor is good sleep quality. Adequate rest helps us rejuvenate ourselves.

c. Existing pollution in the environment:

A steadfast exposure to chemical agents like organic solvents, aromatic amines, pesticides, roadside pollutants, & heavy metals, etc. has been proven to reduce fertility rates or cause frequent miscarriages. Also, environmental pollutants determine the formation of DNA adducts & the pollution caused by construction sites induces DNA modifications in gametes & embryos by introducing genetic mutations once damaged.

Myth vs facts about fertility:

A lot of myths & facts exist about pregnancy. Without paying much heed to advice from the people in your proximity, go through this list of myths & facts:

Myth #1: Adoption increases the chances of becoming pregnant.

Fact: Every couple has heard this myth that adopting increases the chances of conceiving. The case is the exact opposite. The fertility solutions do no good for couples who are infertile & decide to adopt. Though adoption is an ideal way of building a family, no one should adopt in hope of conceiving later, after the adoption.

Myth #2: IVF treatment is too expensive for some couples to consider.

Fact: In the list of fertility solutions, this one is a pretty common myth. If the situation of the couple demands to get IVF treatment done, they may opt for it without hesitation. Several couples achieve pregnancy through the most expensive & advanced techniques but at affordable rates, Spending money on such a sensitive topic is every couple’s personal decision.

Myth #3: If you’re young enough you need not worry about infertility.

Fact: It is true about being young & having high chances of fertility. But age is only one factor in it. Handling issues like infertility is challenging & exhausting and combines stress-inducing experiences. Also, finding the right physicians, nurses, or gynecologists for guidance is important. Speaking to your family doctor or gynecologist will help you know the basic intricacies involved in the conceiving process.

Conclusion

Above all, a visit to a medical practitioner when you plan to start a family is an ideal thing to do when looking for fertility solutions. First & foremost, a couple must look at the fact that they have any issues if they try to conceive. If yes, discuss the same with the medical practitioner & try to find solutions to it with the guidance of the medical practitioner. There are a lot of studies wherein it is proven that the lifestyle & nutrition of a couple play a huge & primary role in the pregnancy process.

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