Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
The feeling of giving birth to a baby is an irreplaceable one. Unfortunately, motherhood or fatherhood is a distant dream to many due to fertility issues. The decision to have a baby is completely personal and a lot of couples decide not to have children. On the other hand, there are those who spend half of their earnings to deal with the barriers that keep them away from being a parent. Did you know that a lot of things that you do in your day-to-day life can have a negative impact on your fertility? You can decrease your chances of having a baby just because of ignorance which is why it is vital to educate yourself about these things.
Here are 5 everyday things that you need to stay away from as they affect your fertility:
1) Ibuprofen Consumption
You may causally consume a few ibuprofen pills a week, either after a sweaty day at the gym or when you’re having a rough day at work. Ibuprofen helps in easing muscle pain and other common issues like headache which is why it is considered to be an easy treatment by many. According to research, ibuprofen consumption may affect testicular health in men and it can lead to a downfall in their fertility (1). The study that was published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America found out that ibuprofen alters human testicular physiology to result in a state of compensated hypogonadism.
2) Low Iodine
Low iodine in women can affect their fertility (2). If you are pregnant, make sure that you have a healthy level of iodine in your body. You may be consuming a lot more food than you used to but don’t merely concentrate on gaining weight and calories and focus on your iodine intake. Try to consume more of iodine-rich food like codfish, dairy, shrimp, iodized salt, eggs, lima beans, and prunes. If you’ve had a history of thyroid issues, consult your doctor and get your blood checked to ensure that you don’t have the issue while you’re pregnant.
3) Wrong Lubricants
If you like using lubricants during lovemaking, you need to know that most of the lubricants available in the market might harm sperm and lower the chances of conception (3). This doesn’t mean that you can ditch condoms and just use lubricants if you don’t want to get pregnant. However, if you want to use a lubricant while you’re trying to get pregnant, ask your doctor about the safe brands.
4) Too Much Soda/ Soft Drinks
Can’t eat pizza without that fizzy drink? Have you and your partner ever wondered how much of soft drinks you consume in a week? Drinking a lot of carbonated drinks can affect your fertility in a negative way according to certain studies. The study that was conducted in 2018 found that sugar-sweetened and carbonated beverages had adverse effects on the fertility of both men and women (4).
5) Too Much Red Meat
Red meat can be really delicious but too much red meat can lower your chances of getting pregnant. A recent study conducted to evaluate the association of the Mediterranean diet with fertility found that it helps in improving the chances of conception (5). Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet that also includes healthy fats like avocado and olive oil along with a lean protein like fish might help improve your fertility. Try to follow a good diet and a healthy lifestyle to deal with infertility issues.
Infertility can be a serious concern for those who want to conceive. You may not think much about the repercussions of your lifestyle in the present but it’s important to know that there are scientific studies that actually prove the effects of your daily habits on fertility. But don’t worry because it’s never too late; you can always follow a good diet and healthy lifestyle. Also, the latest advancements in medicine are definitely there to back you up if you’re dealing with infertility.
