SOME 20 per cent of couples of reproductive age are affected by infertility, statistics show, and often tests will show a medical cause for why a couple is unable to conceive. From issues like endometriosis, low sperm count and poor sperm motility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and uterine or cervical abnormalities, it’s through testing and treatment that couples are usually successful.

But one factor that contributes to infertility is often ignored, and may not be considered early, if at all, even though it can be a major contributing factor to why a woman is either not getting pregnant, or is unable to bring a pregnancy to term. That is the lifestyle component — factors such as poor nutrition, obesity, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption and exposure to toxins, which can significantly impact fertility in various ways.

“A diet lacking essential nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals like folic acid, zinc and iron, for example, can affect reproductive health,” explained dietician Claudhia Ashley. “For women, poor nutrition can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, and difficulties with ovulation. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy can also increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defects.”

She said in the case where obesity is a factor, excess body fat can disrupt the balance of reproductive hormones, leading to conditions like PCOS or insulin resistance.

“These can affect ovulation, making it difficult to conceive,” Ashley said. “Note that obesity is also linked to higher rates of miscarriage and complications during pregnancy.”

She explained that women experiencing excessive amounts of stress can also see their chances of conceiving plummet, as chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can interfere with reproductive hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.

“High stress may lead to irregular periods or ovulation issues, making it harder to conceive,” Ashley said. “And for those who smoke, cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that can damage eggs and reduce their quality, leading to reduced fertility. Smoking also accelerates egg loss and can cause early menopause. In pregnancy, smoking increases the risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and low birth weight.”

It’s the same for alcohol — “excessive alcohol can interfere with the menstrual cycle and ovulation, affecting fertility. Alcohol can also damage a developing foetus and increase the risk of miscarriage. For men, heavy drinking can reduce sperm quality and count”.

Ashley said that chemicals in certain cleaning products, pesticides, plastics such as BPA, and industrial pollutants, can disrupt endocrine function, leading to hormonal imbalances, and reducing your chances at conceiving.“These toxins can impair egg quality, affect menstrual cycles, and increase the risk of miscarriage or infertility,” she said.

She implored that for those couples having problems conceiving, along with testing, “making positive lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a balanced diet, achieving a healthy weight, reducing stress, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and limiting exposure to harmful toxins, can significantly improve fertility outcomes”.

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse.