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The use of tobacco can effect fertility levels in men and women, and there is some evidence that chemicals in tobacco can lead to early miscarriage.
Similarly, it may be the case that even moderate alcohol consumption by women can decrease conception chances, even when her fertility is assumed to be in the normal range. If you're able to conceive, alcohol use (prior to conception) by dad may be a factor in low birthweight.
Excessive caffeine can lead to inappropriately low prolactin levels in women.
Men and women should make sure that their fertility specialist is aware of all drugs (prescribed or otherwise) that are being ingested -- even some necessary medications may work against you.
There are concerns about the possibility of phytoestrogens and other chemicals (like steroids) disrupting the reproductive systems of both men and women. The United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is studying the combined reproductive effects of a number of agents. Phytoestrogens can be found synthetically in a multitude of household, beauty, and "health" products, or naturally occuring in soy products, legumes, apples, carrots, onions and other vegetables.
Phytoestrogens may inadvertently lengthen the follicular phase of the ovulation cycle, leading to fewer cycles overall, and may possibly have a negative impact on sperm production. At present, it appears that it is at the level of toxicity in which phytoestrogens become hormone disrupters, but more studies are needed. While some of the studied exposures have unavoidably occurred very early in life (such as in-utero), people with multiple risks for infertility are nonetheless encouraged to avoid excessive consumption of foods high in phytoestrogens.
In a 1998 report by The Alan Guttmacher Institute entitled Into A New World: Young Women's Sexual and Reproductive Lives, the tremendous impact of the overall lack of sexual health education is noted. The report states "Infections of the reproductive tract also have a major impact on a woman's health and fertility. Many such infections develop when women give birth or have an abortion under nonsterile conditions, and others are contracted through sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Each year, a sizable proportion of women and men aged 15 to 49 contract an STD; less than 10% in developed and some developing countries, but from 11% to 25% in most developing regions."
Sadly, most sexually transmitted diseases render few, if any, symptoms that would be noticed by females, and sometimes the same can be said for male infections. For men and women, even a mild bacterial infection (not necessarily the usual VD's) can inhibit conception. It is not uncommon for an infertile couple to first learn of any former or current infections during their initial diagnostic workup for infertility.
No, this isn't your "Fertile Myrtle" friend telling you to "just take a vacation" and you'll get pregnant. The fact is that all hormones, male and female, are highly sensitive to perceived stress. While there is little scientific evidence to directly correlate stress levels with fertility levels, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, "some studies have shown that high stress levels may also cause fallopian tube spasm in women and decreased sperm production in men." Unfortunately, infertility itself is a great stress-producer, so this can be a circle of cause and effect. Do the best you can to simplify your life and adhere to healthy habits to combat the effects of stress on your system.
© Tracy Morris
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