Talking about age, generally a woman’s fertility starts decreasing after the age of 30. However, apart from aging, which cannot be controlled, there are some lifestyle factors that can be monitored to ensure that you are not at risk of infertility.
being overweight or underweight
A woman’s weight can affect her chances of becoming pregnant. You should be at your ideal weight for your age and height. Being underweight or overweight can both negatively affect your fertility.
Being overweight (body mass index of 30 or more) is also associated with a higher chance of miscarriage and complications pregnancy and delivery. Being underweight has been linked to ovarian dysfunction and infertility. Women with a BMI of less than 17 are at increased risk. A meta-analysis of 78 studies including 1,025,794 women found that low birth weight women had an increased risk of premature birth.
too much or lack of exercise
For obese women, physical activity appears to have a protective effect on fertility, along with weight loss. However, excessive exercise can lead to fertility issues for women. Losing too much body fat from excessive exercise can affect ovulation and menstruation. Too much vigorous physical activity reduces production of the hormone progesterone.
smoking or taking drugs
Cigarette smoking and taking recreational drugs are known to negatively affect a woman’s chances of conceiving. Smoking regularly reduces ovarian function and reduces ovarian reserve by depleting your eggs prematurely. Recreational drugs can also cause stillbirth. The same applies to male fertility, as smoking and taking drugs can lower sperm quality.
excessive alcohol consumption
Women who drink large amounts of alcohol are more likely to experience infertility than those who drink less. Heavy drinking can lead to ovulation disorders. If you are trying to conceive, stop drinking alcohol completely. It is recommended to abstain at the time of conception and during pregnancy for a healthy fetus.
stress and mental health
Stress can also affect female fertility. The research found that women who worked more than 32 hours a week and less (16 to 32) hours a week experienced more time to conceive than women. Another research found that anxiety disorders or depression affect up to 30% of women who attend infertility clinics, but this may also be due to infertility diagnosis and treatment.