Introduction
Fertility is the ability to conceive a child, and it is something that affects both men and women. There are many factors that can impact fertility, and while some of these factors are beyond an individual’s control, there are others that can be addressed, ultimately improving fertility and thus the chances of conception in many cases. In this blog, we’ll look at these different factors and how some of them can be mitigated to improve fertility, as well as taking a deeper look specifically at weight and fertility and how prescription weight loss medications can affect this.
What factors affect fertility?
Many different factors can affect the fertility of both men and women, including:
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Age.
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Weight.
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Alcohol use.
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Smoking.
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Stress.
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Environmental toxins.
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
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Chronic diseases and conditions.
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Hormone imbalances.
Age. In both men and women, the chances of conception decrease alongside increasing age. Women’s quality and quantity of eggs naturally decreases over time, and at a certain point (usually between the ages of 45 and 55) menopause will occur, after which a woman can no longer become pregnant. For men, although conception is still possible regardless of age, the quantity and quality of their sperm decreases over time, making it less likely.
Weight. Men and women who are overweight or obese often experience issues with fertility, as excess weight can cause hormonal imbalances in both sexes, ovulation issues in women, and other health conditions which may impact fertility. On the flip side, being underweight can also cause hormonal imbalances which make it harder for women to conceive.
Alcohol use. The fertility of both men and women is negatively affected by alcohol consumption. In men, alcohol can lower testosterone levels, which reduces sperm production, and it can also lead to abnormal sperm development. Long term, men who drink heavily may develop testicular damage. For women, heavy alcohol consumption for an extended period of time can lead to inconsistent ovulation, or even the complete cessation of ovulation.
Smoking. Smoking can negatively affect hormone production in both men and women, making it harder to conceive. For men, it can also lead to an increase in erectile dysfunction. Women who are smokers often experience menopause 1-4 years earlier than non-smoking women, which also shortens the window of time for having children.
Stress. While stress on its own is unlikely to cause infertility, it can certainly make it harder to conceive. Long term stress can negatively impact the hormonal balance needed for ovulation in women. A side effect of stress can also be a decreased libido, or interest in sex, which can affect both men and women.
Environmental toxins. Both men and women can experience decreased fertility as a result of exposure to toxins in their environment. These toxins (such as parabens, lead, mercury, cadmium, bisphenol A or BPA, and organochloride compounds) can be found in air, soil, water, food, and consumer products, and they may disrupt hormones, damage sperm quality, and affect women’s menstrual cycles.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs can affect fertility in both men and women, with long-lasting repercussions if they are not treated as early as possible. STIs can damage reproductive systems and lead to inflammation, scarring, and blocked reproductive tracks. They can also affect sperm quantity and quality.
Chronic diseases and conditions. There are a variety of chronic diseases and conditions which can affect the fertility of both men and women. Those undergoing cancer treatment or who have autoimmune disorders often experience issues with fertility. Women who suffer from endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may also have problems with ovulation, egg production, reproductive organ health, and conception. Women who have hypertension may have issues with embryo implantation, while those with anemia may experience irregular periods and infertility. Men with cystic fibrosis may have issues with fertility because this condition can cause the tubes that carry sperm from the testes to not develop properly.
Hormone imbalances. Both men and women may experience hormonal imbalances which negatively affect fertility. In women, these imbalances often cause irregular ovulation, which can make it difficult to become pregnant. Those who experience a short luteal phase in their menstrual cycle may also have issues with a fertilized egg successfully implanting in the womb. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause irregular ovulation, whilst amenorrhea can cause irregular periods. Hyperprolactinemia (an excess of the hormone prolactin) negatively affects the fertility of both men and women. Hormone imbalances can be caused by illness, age, thyroid conditions, adrenal gland problems, allergies, stress, and/or weight.
You should also note that if you’ve been taking hormonal contraceptives, it may take some time after stopping for your body to return to normal, and so you may not conceive immediately after having stopped taking the contraceptive.
In many instances, if conception does occur despite some of the negative factors above, the resulting pregnancy may be more complicated or risky, both to the mother and the foetus. Some of these factors can also contribute to issues such as premature birth or low birth weight.
How can I improve my fertility?
While there isn’t anything you can do to outright combat age, there are many other factors above that you can mitigate through various means.
For example, you can improve your chances of conceiving by maintaining a healthy weight–losing weight if you are obese or overweight, or healthily gaining some weight if you are underweight. In many instances, you can lose weight by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.
If you are severely overweight or obese and struggling to lose weight, you may be eligible for prescription weight loss medication. You can learn more about our service for this here. If you are a woman, it’s important to note that whilst you are taking prescription weight loss medication, you must be careful not to conceive, and you should wait a couple of months after stopping the medication before trying to conceive.
If you are hoping to conceive, both partners should limit or avoid the use of alcohol, and you both should also stop smoking.
If possible, try to reduce your daily stress levels. Identify the source(s) of stress and take steps to mitigate this.
You can help reduce your exposure to environmental toxins by being aware of which products you purchase and use in your own environment, such as your home. You can take steps to reduce your exposure by:
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Using non-toxic cleaning products.
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Avoiding plastics, instead using glass or stainless steel where possible.
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Reducing or eliminating your consumption of fish that is more likely to be contaminated with mercury (such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish).
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Using products (like water bottles and food containers) that are labelled as being free of BPAs.
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Avoiding processed foods.
Anyone who is sexually active should get regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you think you or your partner may have an STI, you should both get tested, take any treatment(s) prescribed, and get the all-clear from your doctor before trying to become pregnant.
We carry a variety of products which may help you and your partner to conceive. For men, we stock Vitabiotic Wellman Conception, which is a daily supplement for men that contains zinc (important for normal fertility and reproduction in males), as well as ginseng, amino acids, and other ingredients which may help to contribute to male fertility.
For women, we carry Seven Seas Folic Acid Trying for a Baby, which is a daily supplement that helps to regulate hormonal activity and supports normal fertility and reproduction.
If you are a woman trying to get pregnant, it is also recommended that you take a vitamin D supplement, such as Valupak Vitamin D, and that you continue to take this once you conceive.
You can read more about trying to conceive and what to do once you do conceive in our blog on Trying for a Baby / Pregnancy.
If you’ve been trying to conceive for more than a year without success, you and your partner should consult with a medical professional for further advice.
How do weight loss medications (GLP1-s) affect fertility?
Losing weight may help increase your chances of becoming pregnant. While weight loss medications (GLP-1s) don’t directly impact ovulation on their own, weight loss can. Lowering the higher insulin levels brought on by excess weight can improve ovulation, and therefore fertility.
Weight loss medications, by helping you lose weight, may also in turn help to regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation, which may increase your chances of falling pregnant.
Studies have also suggested that GLP1-s may impact inhibitive polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, possibly even reversing polycystic ovary morphology and decreasing male sex hormones (like testosterone) in women, which may help women with PCOS experience improved menstrual regularity and increased fertility.
For men, some studies have also found that GLP1-s can improve fertility by helping produce more sperm, or sperm that’s more mobile.
It’s important to note that weight loss medications also interfere with oral birth control by affecting their absorption, which can make them less effective. You should speak with your GP about alternative methods of birth control if you’re going to be taking GLP1 weight loss medications.
If you’re interested in learning more about taking weight loss medications, you can find out more about our service for this here.
In summary
Men’s and women’s fertility is affected by many different factors. Although some of these factors are beyond control, the good news is that many of them are able to be addressed, ultimately leading to improved fertility for many people.