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Preserving Your Fertility
Risk Factors
There are several factors that can influence your ability to get pregnant;
environmental factors, age, smoking, a history of sexually transmitted
diseases, heavy alcohol consumption and more. Carefully review your fertility
risk factors and if you identify a symptom or risk factor that applies to
you, consult with your physician. Early detection and treatment are critical
to achieving a successful outcome.
Risk Factors
Many of the risk factors for both male and female infertility are the same.
These include:
Age. A woman's age can affect her fertility. By age 40, a woman's chance of
pregnancy has decreased from 90 percent to 67 percent. By age 45, the chance
of becoming pregnant declines to 15 percent. Infertility in older women may
be due to a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities that occur in the eggs
as they age. Older women are also more likely to have health problems that
may interfere with fertility. The risk of miscarriage also is much greater
for older women.
Emotional factors. Depression and stress may have a direct effect on the
hormones that regulate reproduction and affect sperm production or ovulation.
Occupational and environmental risks. Studies suggest that prolonged exposure
to high mental stress, high temperatures, chemicals, radiation, or heavy
electromagnetic or microwave emissions may reduce fertility in both men and
women.
Unprotected sex. Having multiple sex partners and not using condoms may
increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can cause
infertility in both men and women.
Smoking. Smoking may increase the risk of infertility in women and may reduce
sperm production in men.
Alcohol use. Even moderate alcohol intake - as few as five drinks a week -
can impair conception.
Being overweight. Body fat levels that are 10 percent to 15 percent above
normal can overload the body with estrogen, throwing off the reproductive
cycle.
Being underweight. Body fat levels 10 percent to 15 percent below normal can
completely shut down the reproductive process. Women at risk include those
with eating disorders , such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, and women on a
very low-calorie or restrictive diet. Strict vegetarians also may experience
infertility problems due to a lack of important nutrients such as vitamin
B-12, zinc, iron and folic acid. Marathon runners, dancers and others who
exercise very intensely are more prone to menstrual irregularities and
infertility.
For Women
It is important for women to understand both their mother's reproductive
health history and their own. There are several factors that can affect a
woman's fertility.
For Women
General Health
The following are factors which can affect your ability to ovulate, conceive,
or carry a pregnancy to term:
excessive, or very low, body fat can affect ovulation and fertility
chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hyper or hypothyroidism, lupus, arthritis
,hypertension, or asthma -- tell your doctor about prescription medicines
that you are currently taking
abnormal pap smears which have resulted in treatment such as cryosurgery or
cone biopsy
your mother took DES when she was pregnant with you -- tell your doctor so
an x-ray can be done to assess the size and shape of your uterus
hormonal imbalance -- periods exceeding six days, cycles shorter than 24 days
or more than 35 days apart; irregular, unpredictable cycles, very heavy
periods, excessive facial hair, or acne on face, chest, abdomen
multiple miscarriages -- two or more early pregnancy losses
environmental factors -- cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption, exposure
to workplace hazards or toxins
Age
Even if your fertility does not seem at risk now, remember that fertility
declines with age. A woman in her late 30's is about 30% less fertile than
she was in her early 20's. See your doctor if you are over 30 and have been
trying to conceive for six months or more.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases(STDs)
Twelve million cases of newly diagnosed STDs occur in the USA annually, with
one quarter of those acquired by teenagers. Some STDs can be asymptomatic.
They are transmitted more easily to women, and can lead to pelvic inflammatory
disease (PID) in women, and epididymitis in men. Complications are more
common in women, including subsequent scarring, miscarriage, adhesions,
blocked tubes, and ectopic pregnancy. Ultimately, infertility can be a
consequence of STDs. To decrease this risk:
consider that people in mutually monogamous relationships with an uninfected
partner have the lowest risk of getting an STD
use latex condoms for contraception
detect and treat infections early. Both partners should be treated
simultaneously if one has an infection
Tubal Disease
Fallopian tube disease accounts for about 20% of infertility cases treated.
If you are having trouble conceiving, or are worried about your future
fertility, be sure to tell your doctor if you have had:
STDs, such as gonorrhea, syphilis, or chlamydia
pelvic pain, unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, or fever
pelvic surgery for ruptured appendix, ectopic pregnancy, or ovarian cyst
an IUD for contraception
two or more abortions
Remember, use of a condom can be effective in preventing the spread of STDs.
If you have an infection, your partner must be treated also. A specialist
can assess the health of your uterus and tubes with an x-ray known as a
hysterosalpingogram (HSG).
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a disease in which uterine tissue is found outside of the
uterus; on the ovaries, fallopian tube, and often on the bladder and bowel.
It can occur in menstruating women of all ages, including teens. While the
connection between endometriosis and infertility is not clearly understood,
early detection may result in successful control and preservation of
fertility. Be sure to report these symptoms to your doctor:
painful menstrual cramps that may be worsening with time
extremely heavy menstrual flow
diarrhea or painful bowel movements, especially around your period
painful sexual intercourse
Endometriosis runs in families, so it is important to tell your doctor if
your mother or sisters had symptoms or were diagnosed with the disease. It
may be symptomless, however, and diagnosis may only be confirmed with an
outpatient surgery known as laparoscopy.
For Men
Infertility is not solely a women's problem. It is estimated that more than
30% of infertility cases involve male factor problems alone, and 20% of
cases involve problems with both partners. Many researchers believe the
causes of declining male fertility during this century are environmental;
they include pesticide and chemical exposure, drug use, radiation, and
pollution.
For men:
Infertility is not solely a women's problem. About 35% of infertility cases
involve male factor problems alone, and 20% of cases involve problems with
both partners. Many researchers believe the causes of declining male fertility
during this century are environmental; they include pesticide and chemical
exposure, drug use, radiation, and pollution.
The following is a partial list of environmental risk factors to male
fertility:
exposure to toxic substances or hazards on the job, such as lead, cadmium,
mercury, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, radioactivity, and x-rays
cigarette or marijuana smoke, heavy alcohol consumption
prescription drugs for ulcers or psoriasis
DES exposure in utero
exposure of the genitals to elevated temperatures -- hot baths, whirlpools,
steam rooms
Medical risks to male fertility include:
hernia repair
undescended testicles
history of prostatis or genital infection
mumps after puberty
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