Sleeping little, doing too much physical activity and always being stressed can be extremely harmful to your reproductive capacity.
Since the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted that one in six people in the world suffers from infertility, attention has shifted to lifestyle habits which, after all, represent one of the main causes of this condition.
“In women, the main cause of infertility is age, since, due to the aging process, a natural decrease in the number of eggs occurs. In men, infertility is mainly linked to conditions such as varicocele, which is the enlargement of the veins of the testicles, urogenital infections and hypogonadism, which is when the testicles do not produce adequate amounts of testosterone, the main male sex hormone. However, it is not only age and diseases of the reproductive system that cause infertility. Some habits that are part of many people’s routines can also interfere with a couple’s chances of pregnancy,” says Rodrigo Rosa, human reproduction specialist and clinical director of the Mater Prime clinic, in São Paulo.
The expert listed three unusual ones:
• Lack of sleep
“Sleep is essential for the correct functioning of the pituitary gland, a gland in the brain that has the task of producing a series of hormones, including those responsible for stimulating the ovaries and testes. Therefore, when the rest period is short or of poor quality, this gland does not function as it should, which consequently interferes with fertility.”
• Fatigue
“High levels of stress can reduce a couple’s chances of becoming pregnant. This is because stress causes physiological processes that can interfere with the production of important reproductive hormones, as well as promoting, in men, the appearance of inflammatory proteins that damage sperm quality.”
• Intense physical exercise
Practicing physical exercise is essential for maintaining health and the correct functioning of the body. However, excess is bad, and this also applies to physical activity. This is because excessive physical exercise also damages the functioning of the pituitary gland and, consequently, the levels of hormones involved in fertility.
“Additionally, many people who engage in intensive physical activity use drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone as a way to accelerate muscle mass gain, which can cause impotence and loss of sexual appetite in men, as well as hormonal imbalances and growth difficulties. ‘endometrium. in women, which reduces the chances of pregnancy and increases the risk of miscarriage,” underlines the doctor.
What is most striking
According to the doctor, classic health damage can also cause problems in the body, reducing the chances of pregnancy. They are: cigarettes, alcohol, unbalanced diet and obesity.
Rodrigo explains that cigarettes are one of the main causes of infertility, since the toxic components present in the product, such as nicotine and tar, seriously worsen reproductive quality.
“In women, smoking can promote the deterioration of eggs, making them age up to ten years and accelerating the onset of menopause, which is particularly harmful today, when women want to get pregnant at an increasingly advanced age. In men, smoking reduces the number of sperm and fragments sperm DNA, thus reducing the ability to fertilize, as well as contributing to loss of sexual appetite and erectile dysfunction,” warns the specialist.
According to the doctor, just like cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption can also interfere with fertility, causing, in men, a decrease in testosterone levels with a consequent reduction in the production and quantity of sperm, which can also lead to dysfunction erectile.
“In women, the effects of alcohol on fertility are poorly understood, but it is known that, in addition to reducing the chances of pregnancy, the substance can remain in the body for some time after consumption and cause problems during pregnancy, such as fetal malformations and withdrawal syndrome in the newborn,” he adds.
How diet also affects
Food influences most processes in the body and this also applies to fertility.
“The deficiency of vitamins and minerals, coming mainly from fruit, vegetables and legumes, compromises the correct functioning of the body and, consequently, fertility. But for couples who wish to get pregnant, there are foods that help in the production of hormones involved in fertility, such as fish, eggs and seeds, since, being rich in nutrients such as omega-3 and selenium, they contain fatty acids responsible for the functioning of the reproductive organs ”, explains the doctor.
As for inadequate body weight, in addition to favoring the onset of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, which can cause problems during pregnancy, obesity also has a direct influence on fertility.
“In men, excess body fat impairs testosterone production, which, in addition to reducing sexual appetite and causing erection difficulties, also interferes with the quality and quantity of sperm. In general, the greater the overweight, the lower the quality, concentration and mobility of the spermatozoa”, underlines the specialist.
“In women, inadequate weight also interferes with the production of female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, which consequently hinders the ovulation process. And, in this case, it’s not just obesity, because excessively thin women, such as those who suffer from anorexia, also have a lower chance of becoming pregnant, as well as having a greater risk of going into early menopause.”
A healthy lifestyle
Finally, just remember that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adopting a balanced diet, sleeping well and exercising regularly is the best way to maintain the correct functioning of the body and therefore improve fertility and the chances of pregnancy.
“However, if the couple realizes that they are having problems getting pregnant, it is important that they both consult a specialized doctor, because only he will be able to carry out an assessment and identify the real cause of the problem, thus recommending the appropriate treatment or, when the cause of infertility cannot be reversed, assisted reproduction methods”, concludes Rodrigo Rosa.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
