How to change your life to boost your fertility

There is plenty of evidence to show that lifestyle can have an impact on fertility.  Here are some tips to boost fertility based on scientific evidence:

1.Cut the caffine

In one study, women who consumed a cup of coffee or more a day were half as likely to become pregnant, per menstrual cycle, as women who drank less than that.

2. Stop smoking

3. Avoid Alchol.

Even moderate drinking (five or fewer drinks per week) has been linked to infertility.

4. Maintain a healthy weight.

Being either excessively overweight or underweight can contribute to infertility in women.

5. Manage stress

As infertile couples tend to be more stressed than fertile couples, relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga may help.

References

Wilcox A, Weinberg C, Baird D 1988 Caffeinated beverages and decreated fertility. Lancet. Dec 24-31;22(8626-8627):1453-6

Augood C, Duckitt K, Templeton AA, 1998 Smoking and female infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis.  Human Reproduction Jun; 13(6):1532-9

Coelho C, Julio C, Silva G, Neves A 2009 Tabacco and male infertility: a retrospective study in infertile couples Acta Med Portuguese Nov-Dec; 22(6):753-8

Jensen TK, Hjollund NH, Henriksen TB el al 1998 Does moderate alchol consumption affect fertility?  Follow up study amoung couples planning first pregnancy British Medical Journal Aug 22; 317(7157):505-10
Green BB, Weiss NS, Daling JR 1988 Risk of ovulatory infertility in relation to body weight Fertil Steril Nov;50(5):721-6
Harrison RF, O’Moore RR, O’Moore AM 1986 Stress and fertility: some modalities of investigation and treatment in couples with unexplained infertility in Dublin Int J Fertil May-Jun; 31(2):153-9
Khalsa HK 2003 Yoga: an adjunct to infertility treatment Fertil Steril Oct;80 Suppl 4:46-51

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