Your lifestyle, among other things, includes your diet, fitness, hygiene, toxic habits, and their mental health. It is very important to follow a healthy lifestyle and this is even more important if you want to get pregnant – because your health directly impacts your baby’s. As such, the consumption of toxic substances is directly related to a decrease in fertility and an increased risk of complications during pregnancy (if it even happens). In this article, we discuss the link between toxic habits and conception, including smoking and infertility.
Alcohol Consumption and Infertility
It is common, widespread knowledge that pregnant women should not drink alcohol, as there is no safe dose during pregnancy. However, there is not as much common knowledge about how preconception consumption affects both men and women.
Alcohol and female fertility
A woman’s metabolism absorbs and metabolizes alcohol faster than a man’s. Because of this, the consequences alcohol produces in women are more serious. The consumption of alcohol can alter the production of hormones and cause problems in ovulation and menstrual cycles. Women who do not drink are more likely to get pregnant. Furthermore, they are also more likely to avoid complications with their baby when they get pregnant.
Alcohol and male fertility
In men, the consumption of alcohol decreases testosterone production and increases estrogen; this leads to a reduction in the number and quality of sperm. In addition, it decreases the absorption of zinc (an essential mineral for semen formation) and affects libido, which may cause impotency.
Smoking and infertility
There is an important connection between smoking and infertility. Tobacco decreases the chances of achieving pregnancy both with and without assisted reproduction techniques. Avoiding tobacco and exposure is recommended and directed for both men and women.
Tobacco and female fertility
Smoking and infertility in women have an important link. Nicotine is toxic and affects female fertility, producing an accelerated loss of ovules and the advancement of menopause.
Fertility is determined by a series of conditions that depends on both male and female factors. Some of them are uncontrollable due to genetics, communicable diseases, or unknown causes. The remaining factors, on the other hand, can be controlled by making small lifestyle changes: Food, physical exercise, toxic habits, etc. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle increases the chances of getting pregnant and also minimizes the possibility of complications.There is no miracle solution to become pregnant. Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers. But the more information becomes known about our body’s functioning, the more resources we have at our disposal to increase the chances to experience motherhood. If you are considering starting to try and have a baby, it’s best to make an appointment with your physician, establish a prenatal consultation, and make sure that you are in optimal health to have a baby. Always follow expert guidelines, and avoid following advice from unreliable sources that could put your health at risk.
