Lifestyle Factors and Reproductive Health

• Published in: Handbook of Fertility: Nutrition, Diet, Lifestyle and Reproductive Health
• Main Author: Agarwal A.; Durairajanayagam D.
• Format: Book chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc. 2015
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84940366354&doi=10.1016%2fB978-0-12-800872-0.00013-5&partnerID=40&md5=3ecb1dae7e4c1d83184c622d467d5206

Human fertility is influenced by multiple factors, some more strongly than others. While not all factors are under our control, certainly most lifestyle factors are amenable to change to some extent, in order to minimize its adverse effects on fertility. Factors, such as couple's age during conception, body weight, smoking tobacco, alcohol and caffeine consumption, diet and exercise, use of illicit drugs, and sexually transmitted infections, can influence the couple's fertility potential. Adopting a healthier lifestyle contributes toward optimal fertility, which will enhance natural conception, promote a safer pregnancy leading to the live birth of a healthy baby. This chapter reviews studies on these individual lifestyle factors and discusses their findings. Knowledge on how these factors can impair fertility is essential to create awareness among couples who are planning to start a family or those who are already pregnant, in order to maximize their natural fertility potential and outcome. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.