Lifestyle Factors and Infertility

It is well-known that certain personal habits and lifestyle factors impact health; many of these same factors may limit a couple's ability to conceive. Fortunately, however, many of these variables can be regulated to increase not only the chances of conceiving but also one's overall health. Some of these behavioral factors include:

1.  Diet and Exercise

Optimal reproductive functioning requires both proper diet and appropriate levels of exercise. Women who are significantly overweight or underweight may have difficulty becoming pregnant.

2.  Smoking

Cigarette smoking has been shown to lower sperm counts in men and increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low-birth-weight babies for women. Smoking by either partner reduces the chance of conceiving with each cycle, either naturally or by IVF, by one-third.

3.  Alcohol

Alcohol intake greatly increases the risk of birth defects for women and, if in high enough levels in the mother���s blood, may cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alcohol also affects sperm counts in men.

4.  Drugs

Drugs, such as marijuana and anabolic steroids, may impact sperm counts in men. Cocaine use in pregnant women may cause severe retardations and kidney problems in the baby and is perhaps the worst possible drug to abuse while pregnant. Recreational drug use should be avoided, both when trying to conceive and when pregnant.
 

Much of this information is from the stanford.edu website.