Lifestyle

Why?

We are surrounded by numerous chemicals and toxins. Outside these including traffic fumes, pollution and pesticides (which have been linked to a fall in sperm count). Inside our homes we may use chemicals to clean and wash with or use wood preservation chemicals and paint without giving it a second thought. Common sense tells us that this is bound to have an effect on fertility although the research is inconclusive because there are so many different chemicals around and so many possible effects on the human body. Many of these chemicals have the potential to cause miscarriage and/or disrupt fertility.

Some studies suggest that sperm quality and quantity is reduced by up to 30% by carrying a mobile phone in your trouser pocket.

We are also travelling further to work each day and working harder and longer hours when we get there. Subsequently we are more stressed than ever before and it's easy to get stuck in a destructive cycle.

What you can do

Basically be sensible and do what you can to limit your exposure where possible.

Tap water can contain pesticides, chemicals and lead from polluted rivers, so filter for drinking and cooking
Garden and household chemicals - try to avoid where possible by switching to natural alternatives
Lead (found in lead pipes, old paint and water) can affect quality and quantity of sperm
Mercury (in polluted air, pesticides and fish, mainly tuna) can affect male and female fertility

Look at your work/life balance

Step back
Slow down and live in the moment
Be aware of positive changes you and your partner can make to improve your quality of life
Take a holiday - research shows conception rates are high during holidays
Get plenty of sleep, ensure you have a good bedtime routine and practice relaxation before going to sleep.
Listen to our wonderfully calming Fertility Meditation for Couples.

Smoking and recreational drugs can reduce sperm count and dramatically reduce fertility. A report on smoking and reproduction published in 2004 by the British Medical Association has highlighted these risks and concludes that smoking damages almost all aspects of sexual, reproductive and child health. Smoking, inhaling the smoke of others and use of recreational drugs (including marijuana, cocaine and heroin) are all linked to a big increased risk of miscarriage in many studies.

Visit your doctor and check:

Any prescribed or over the counter medication you or your partner are taking regularly to make sure they do not increase the risk of miscarriage or impact on your fertility. Medicines which may cause problems include some painkillers, sleeping pills and antidepressants.
If you have high blood pressure, diabetes or a thyroid disorders it is best to talk to your doctor before trying to conceive.
Your immunity to rubella, chickenpox and mumps if you are not sure if you had them as a child.
For any suspected sexually transmitted diseases. Some have no symptoms and if left untreated could affect your fertility, cause serious problems during pregnancy and increase the chances of a miscarriage. It's important that both partners get checked. Infections include Chlamydia, Mycoplasmosis and Ureaplasmosis and are usually easily treated with antibiotics.

Other infections which may cause problems if they are first contracted during pregnancy and can be detected with simple tests are:

Bacterial vaginosis - this bacteria in the vagina can sometimes grow out of control for no known reason. It has been linked to early miscarriage and pre-term delivery and is easily treated with antibiotics.
Toxoplasmosis - usually acquired by eating raw or undercooked meat or contaminated fruit and vegetables. You can also get it from cat or sheep faeces. If you contract it for the first time during pregnancy it can increase your risk of miscarriage. Most adults have already had it and are therefore immune but if not it is best treated before you conceive.

Research and Articles

Infertility and chemical exposure - various studies compiled by USF, Tampa, Florida 2007
Lead and infertility - University of California 2003
Psychological stress and semen quality - Brigman & Women's Hosp, Boston 1999
Stress and other environmental factors affecting fertility - Nat Inst. Environmental Health Sciences,1993
Sperm counts are declining - various reported by BMJ and New England Journal of Medicine 1995
Impact of lifestyle on reproductive performance - European Soc Human Reproduction & Embryology 2007
Painkillers linked to increased risk of miscarriage - The Times Aug 2003
An Inconceivable Truth: The Link between Infertility & the Environment - Vogue Aug 2007
River pollutants linked to male infertility - The Independent, Jan 2009
Burnt-out Britain - Is all this hard work damaging our health? - June 2007
Greenpeace report reveals the impact of toxic chemicals on reproductive health - Greenpeace, May 2006
We spend thousands and conceived our babies the natural way - Mail on Sunday, July 2008
Smoking is causing impotence, miscarriages, and infertility - British Medical Journal Feb 2004
Smoking: A Blight on Fertility - Mindspa 2004

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