Infertility issues affect millions of people globally and cause great emotional distress and anxiety for individuals actively trying to conceive. June is recognized as infertility awareness month, where the goal is to highlight infertility and the multitude of ways and individuals it affects. With growing concerns about infertility issues as the number of people it affects rises, conversations surrounding infertility continue to be considered taboo. To eliminate the stigma surrounding these conversations, June is recognized as a month when many healthcare professionals highlight the importance of openness when it comes to infertility. In this article, I will highlight some key concepts concerning infertility, including the classifications of infertility, some causes of infertility and preventative measures.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility shows itself in multiple forms. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are two main types of infertility. Primary infertility is categorized by the inability of an individual to become pregnant after various attempts at conception, while secondary infertility is when an individual can no longer successfully become pregnant after having been successfully pregnant previously in their life. These two classifications are applied to both men and women where men are classified by their sperm production and viability.
What Are Some Causes Of Infertility In Women?
There are many causes of infertility in women, some to this day are still not fully understood and remain unknown. The main encapsulating cause of infertility is issues with ovulation, when an ovum (egg) is released from the ovary. These issues are caused by a plethora of external and medical factors such as:
1.) Endometriosis
2.) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
3.) Damaged Fallopian Tubes
4.) Diabetes
5.) Cancer and its Treatments
These are all medical conditions that individuals are diagnosed with, alleviating some frustration as individuals know the direct cause of their infertility. Despite medical factors, there are a plethora of environmental and lifestyle factors that individuals do not realize can cause infertility as well. Doctors have recently been expanding and researching areas that might be causing the surge in infertility today that was not a concern years ago. For example, doctors have determined and found evidence of a link between the nutritional value of modern-day produce and increased risk of infertility. Other environmental and lifestyle factors include:
6.) Poor Nutrition
7.) Substance use
8.) Age
9.) Being Over/Under Weight
10.) Little Exercise
How Do You Attempt To Prevent Infertility?
1.) Proper / Balanced Diet
With the recent links to infertility and food quality, being mindful of the quality of food you consume is an essential preventative measure of infertility. This includes eating a balanced diet full of good fats, protein and fibre while focusing on whole foods and straying away from processed meals.
2.) At Least 30 Minutes Of Movement A Day
Getting outside and moving our bodies every day is extremely important for our overall health, especially our fertility. Something as simple as a 30-minute walk in the fresh air every day will greatly prevent fertility issues. Since activities such as walking lower your risk of heart disease, it also decreases your risk of infertility due to their relationship with one another. To read more on the link between heart disease and fertility issues CLICK HERE!
3.) Limit Alcohol Consumption
For women, alcohol can change the hormones in the body and have adverse effects on fertility. Being mindful and limiting the amount of alcohol one consumes and or completely cutting alcohol out of one’s diet should be a top priority when attempting to conceive. When actively trying to become pregnant, alcohol should be eliminated from a woman’s diet approximately three months before attempting conception and should be limited overall in daily life.
Dealing With Infertility
If you struggle with infertility you are not alone. Millions of individuals both female and male struggle globally with conception. It can be isolating and frustrating, but here at Fibra we see you, we hear you and we are working hard and are hopeful for a brighter future with better technology to abolish infertility!
In the meantime, remember to be kind to those around you dealing with fertility issues and be open to tough conversations. Be there for those who struggle in silence and help them to feel supported.
If you personally have concerns about your fertility journey, please consult your family doctor or an expert physician.
References
All you need to know about World Infertility Awareness Month. (2023, June 26). Eve Fertility. https://eve-ivf.com/en/2023/06/26/all-you-need-to-know-about-world-infertility-awareness-month/
Mayo Clinic. (2021, August 27). Female infertility. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354308
Mayo Clinic. (2021, September 1). Infertility – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20354317
NIH. (2017, January 31). What are some possible causes of female infertility? Http://Www.nichd.nih.gov/. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/causes/causes-female
World Health Organization. (2023, April 3). Infertility. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
