Did you know:

1. Caffeine use may decrease your fertility (more than 5 cups of coffee per day; equivalent to 500 mg of caffein) and after pregnancy it may increase your risk for miscarriage (more than 2 cups per day; equivalent to 200 mg of caffein).
2. Smoking can make you less fertile. Womyn who smoke are 60% less likely to be able to conceive naturally. They are more likely to have a miscarriage and will experience menopause 1 to 4 years earlier than non-smokers. For men, it is unknown how smoking affects fertility.
3. Alcohol consumption in moderation does not affect fertility. However, if you are planning on getting pregnant or not taking appropriate precautions to avoid it then remember that alcohol can have a detrimental effect of fetal development. There is no “safe” level of consumption established. In some countries you might be penalized by law for drinking while pregnant. For men, more than 4 drinks a day may decrease sperm count.
4. Marijuana, even though still illegal in most of countries, has significant under-utilized health benefits. Chronic marijuana use may affect your ovulation. For men, it will cause a significant decrease in testosterone levels. More than one third of marijuana smokers will have low sperm count.
5. Body weight affects your fertility as well. BMI is body mass index and is calculated by multiplying your height in meters by your height then dividing your weight in kilograms by the total. You can also use an online calculator. If your BMI is higher than 30 then it might take you longer to conceive. For every additional point on BMI above 30, you loose 5% chance for conception. Obesity can also increase your risk for miscarriage and other pregnancy complications. For men, a BMI more than 25 is associated with abnormal sperm count and motility.

I hope this will motivate you to pursue a healthier lifestyle with more exercise and less substance use.

Categories: Gynecology, Health, Obstetrics

Tags: alcohol, BMI, fertility, infertility, marijuana, obesity, smoking