FERTILITY MYTHS

Lifestyle leaves its mark on health, and reproductive function is no exception. Meanwhile, many men and women underestimate the risks that can lead to infertility.

Dr. Pankai Srivastav, head physician at the Conceive Hospital Reproductive Health Clinic, dispels the most common fertility myths.

Myth 1. Smoking harms lungs, not reproductive function.

The phrase on a pack of cigarettes, "Smoking Causes Impotence," causes many to smile. Meanwhile, this is not a joke. Smoking tobacco and other toxic substances (including marijuana) has a direct effect on seminal fluid quality and sperm motility. Men like to refer to genetics in the spirit: "My father and grandfather smoked and had many children," but do not forget that men of previous generations lived in completely different environmental conditions, much less aggressive.

If we talk about women, then smokers have a 3-4 times less chance of becoming pregnant on their own. In addition, they often have malfunctions of the menstrual cycle and problems with the patency of the fallopian tubes, which directly affects the successful conception.

Myth 2. Alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver, not infertility.

Alcohol has an effect on sperm morphology, abundance and motility, and also significantly reduces libido in men. Women who miss one to five cups a week have a lower chance of conception. Those who drink alcohol regularly are at increased risk of irregular ovulation, early menopause, and miscarriage during pregnancy.

Myth 3. Emirates are to blame for overweight

In the Emirates, many gain weight - this is a fact, and the reason for this is a sedentary lifestyle. In men, fat converts testosterone to estrogen, which slows sperm production and reduces libido. Obesity leads to the development of diabetes, and also disrupts the cycle of ovulation and egg production. By the way, weight loss of only 5% turns a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome from women with anovulatory infertility into a woman capable of conception.

Myth 4. Nutrition does not directly affect conception.

Emirates is a fast food paradise whose consumption leads to obesity and infertility. People are busy at work and think that they eat almost nothing, and in fact behind this “nothing” hides fruit sugar and chocolate bars before bedtime. To feel good, choose foods with a low glycemic index and consume them regularly, in small portions throughout the day. Avoid empty calories!

Myth 5. Sport helps to lose weight, but it is useless for fertility.

The lack of regular training leads to diseases of the cardiovascular system and a decrease in reproductive function. To keep yourself in good shape at the time, it’s not necessary to pull the bar: just walk on a daily basis in the fresh air, replace the elevator lift with the staircase and do fitness at least 3-4 times a week.

Myth 6. Stress is good for your health.

Constant stress can change the hormonal background, which, in turn, makes it difficult to ovulate, menstruate and conceive. If you are trying to get pregnant, protect yourself from stress. Do yoga, meditation, or your favorite hobby. And, of course, sleep for at least 8 hours so that the body has time to recover.

Myth 7. Profession leaves a mark on fertility.

In the male body, testicles are taken outside the abdominal cavity for good reason - sperm production occurs at a cool temperature. Therefore, a laptop on your lap, a phone in the front pocket of your trousers - all these are direct threats to reproductive health. Not to mention such dangerous professions as an airplane pilot: it has been scientifically proven that radiation, to which pilots are exposed in the upper atmosphere, to put it mildly, does not add to their male health. This, incidentally, applies to chefs who spend a lot of time near hot stoves and stoves.

Myth 8. Natural toxins are everywhere, we are already used to them.

Plastic containers and bottles secrete bisphonol A, a toxin that affects spermatogenesis. Conclusion - eat and drink only from glassware. No less harmful to sperm production are steroids consumed by bodybuilders. In fact, all foods containing hormones are enemies of the reproductive system and cause infertility.

Myth 9. I am still young, I have a lot of time for family planning.

Even if you are young, you must monitor your health and reproductive cycle. Try not to put off the issue of having children in the long run and find the right balance between career growth and family planning. For example, if a wife older than 35 years old cannot become pregnant for six months, this is a direct indication for contacting a reproductologist!

Myth 10. You can always freeze eggs

The peak of a woman’s fertility occurs between the ages of 20 and 30 years, and after that the chances of a natural conception begin to decline, and after 40 they are already extremely low. Men have no such problem, but over the past 50 years, sperm quality has also decreased due to environmental and other factors. In any case, even if you are going to freeze your eggs, you should definitely consult a doctor and undergo an examination. The sooner you freeze sperm and eggs, the better!