Infertility is a difficult struggle for many Women across the globe for those who are wanting to start their own family. Though not an uncommon condition, the causes can vary widely, stemming from genetic issues, to lifestyle choices. Understanding your body and the aspects that could be affecting your infertility can help you discover the next steps you should take in your journey. 

Genetics

There’s no easy way out of this one. Some women’s infertility is due to genetic diseases or a family history of infertility. Some conditions, such as an imbalance of hormones, can be treated or regulated to an extent, but others are more difficult to deal with. PCOS and thyroid issues, for example, can both affect fertility, and different steps need to be taken for each condition to maximize the chances of getting and staying pregnant. 

Age

It’s not hard to see that lots of things change for a woman as she gets older and enters into menopause. But even before this stage of life, fertility begins to decrease as women enter into their 30s. These days, as many women are waiting until later in life to start families, they are facing more fertility struggles due to their bodies getting older. During your 30s and 40s, the number and viability of your eggs decreases, which If you would like to plan a family someday, you may want to keep this in mind. 

Smoking and Drinking

Not all fertility troubles can be blamed on aspects that are outside of our control, such as age. In fact, women who participate in harmful habits and activities such as smoking and heavy drinking are also at risk for reducing their fertility. As these behaviors also negatively affect developing fetuses, it is better to end these behaviors even before becoming pregnant to increase your chances of conceiving. 

Being Over or Underweight

Many aspects in life require balance, and your weight is one of them. Women who are obese as well as women who are underweight can both have a decreased chance of getting pregnant. For those who are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can have an impact on your fertility. Additionally, underweight women will have similar problems with infertility as their body is working hard to keep them alive and well instead of focusing on preparing for a baby. Taking care of the body you have is so important as you plan on caring for that of the children you would like to have. 

Poor Nutrition and Exercise

A good diet and exercise is not only fundamental for a healthy life, but also has a positive impact on fertility. Eating foods that are rich in antioxidants and good fats instead of empty carbs will give you the energy you need for your day and provide you with essential nutrients. If you notice that your diet is lacking in certain areas, consider taking vitamin supplements. 

Furthermore, these days, many people are living sedentary lifestyles and get little to no regular exercise, which contributes to poor health. However, both of the extreme ends of this spectrum can adversely affect your fertility. Frequent, intense exercise or athletic training can even cause women to stop having periods, interfering with their ability to have children. 

Stress

Stress is the not-so-obvious problem to many health issues and can impact our bodies in a myriad of ways. While these days it can be difficult to escape the things that cause us stress, reducing stressful situations in your life can bring a wealth of benefits to both your physical and mental wellbeing, fertility included. As you eliminate the stress in your life, take time to replenish yourself through an adequate sleep schedule that allows for the proper rest of your body.

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