For women and men grappling with infertility, the start of the New Year may have signaled an optimistic, new beginning. On the other hand, ringing in 2013 may have served as a painful reminder that your goal of parenthood has not been met. No matter which side of the spectrum you are on, you are not alone.
As the New Year marches forward, you may find yourself dreading yet another round of IVF or you just might be looking forward to a new treatment plan. Regardless of what 2013 brings for you, here are a few simple resolutions that might help you reach your ultimate goal of a successful pregnancy.
Probably the most common resolution that is made at the beginning of each new year involves weight loss. Many folks put losing weight as their top goal every year. Feeling better and fitting into clothes in the back of your closet is certainly one reason to consider losing weight. Losing weight has also been proven to help women increase their chances of conception; studies have shown that women can increase their chances of success with fertility treatment, and decrease the rate of miscarriage when they shed a few pounds.
One study, from the University of Sheffield, monitored obese women who were not ovulating. Researchers found that those who lost 5% of body weight increased blood flow to the womb by 19% and, in fact, a significant portion of the population regained spontaneous ovulation.
For women with a high BMI, the idea of losing several pounds to achieve pregnancy can be disheartening. Setting up reasonable goals, starting with just 5% weight loss, and then increasing to 10%, will make it easier to stick with a weight loss resolution. As you work toward achieving this important goal, you will automatically increase your chances of conception.
Motivation to make dietary changes, along with finding emotional support during weight loss, is important. Consider seeking support from your friends, relatives, clinicians, or even a support group. Diet with a friend and remember that the most consistent weight loss is usually achieved by following a regimented, low-calorie diet, rather than following the latest diet craze. This resolution could be as simple as eating more fruits and veggies, or it could include starting a regular workout program.
As a woman ages, her chances of conception naturally begin to decline. Women who are under 35 should have a complete infertility workup after 12 months of unprotected intercourse if they have not been able to get pregnant. Women over 35 should be evaluated after only 6 months.
While we may not be able to control the impact of aging on fertility, the odds of success greatly improve the earlier a patient begins the diagnostic process. Every month, the aging process is marching forward, so it’s best to follow the recommended guidelines about when to seek an evaluation… Don’t put it off!
Approximately 30% of all women in their reproductive years smoke cigarettes. Studies show that women who smoke typically experience a delay in conception. For women who smoke, there is up to a 54% higher chance that conception will take a year or longer compared to nonsmokers. The same studies show that the delay in conception correlates directly with the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The bottom line is the more cigarettes smoked, the more chemicals enter your body, thus raising the rate of follicular depletion and lowering the estrogen in your body.
Even with infertility treatment, smoking can make conception more challenging. Smokers may need more medication for ovarian stimulation, produce fewer eggs for retrieval, have an increased number of canceled cycles, and have more cycles with failed fertilization compared to non-smokers.
Smoking does not only impact a woman’s fertility. Smoking cigarettes can cause a decrease in the three main factors that determine a man’s sperm quality:
- Sperm count – an average 22% decrease in men who regularly smoke
- Morphology – the shape of the sperm
- Motility – the ability of the sperm to swim forward and penetrate the egg
Studies have shown that damage is not necessarily permanent and may vary by amount and length of time you have been smoking. Based on research studies, benefits from quitting smoking can be seen in approximately 2-3 months. In fact, much of the reduction in fertility rates can be completely reversed within a year after quitting this habit. The earlier you stop smoking while trying to conceive, the better. Counseling and encouragement are essential for those that need to kick the nicotine habit.
You might consider cutting back on your alcohol consumption. Alcohol can impact a couple’s ability to conceive more than you might think. Compared to women who consume no alcohol, women who consume a moderate amount (up to 5 drinks per week) show a decrease in their fertility. Women who consume more than 10 alcoholic drinks per week show an even greater decrease in their chances of conceiving on a given cycle. Since there is no confirmed “safe” threshold of consumption, the US Surgeon General recommends complete abstinence from alcohol for women planning to get pregnant, throughout conception, and during pregnancy.
Excessive alcohol consumption in men may also impact their fertility. Men who consume large quantities of alcoholic drinks (5 or more drinks) may have lowered testosterone levels and reduced sperm quality and quantity. For men, decreasing the amount of alcohol consumed can quickly reverse these side effects.
In some European countries, like the Netherlands, the government health service pays for all fertility treatment. Even though patients in these countries don’t have the stress related to the financial burden of paying for treatment, one study showed that 62% dropped out of treatment after 3 cycles of IVF treatment. When asked why, most couples gave the primary reason as stress-related.
If couples understand upfront that the diagnosis process and fertility treatments are often stressful, they can be more in tuned to the situation. Many reproductive specialists suggest a variety of different resources to help couples cope and control stress levels, such as joining a support group, trying yoga or meditation, or seeking the help of an infertility counselor.
Another way to reduce stress is to laugh often and laugh out loud. There’s nothing wrong with having fun and joy in your life. It’s not fattening and it won’t stop you from getting pregnant. Funny movies and television shows are more than just a diversion. They can definitely reduce stress and they are often a lifesaver when times seem tough. Laugh with your partner and laugh with your friends. Laughter CAN be your best friend!
The good news is that by tackling these resolutions starting now (some are simple and some may be more challenging), you can improve your chances of conception. If you and your partner are having trouble getting pregnant, find a reproductive specialist sooner than later. If you live in the greater southeast area of Texas, the Center of Reproductive Medicine can help you achieve your goal of building a family. While you are working on your New Year’s Resolutions, the professional staff at CORM will work closely with you to choose the most appropriate fertility treatment program for your individual reproductive medical needs.