7 non-medical reasons for infertility
MUCH value is placed by society on being able to conceive and raise a family, but some women have great difficulty getting pregnant. Medical intervention can often solve this problem, but occasionally there are non-medical reasons that prevent conception. Surprisingly, a mere change of habit can sometimes lead to a happy outcome.
Dr Alfred Dawes, obesity and laparoscopic surgeon, shares some of these below.
1. Tight underwear
Dr Dawes explained that tight-fitting underwear can contribute to low sperm production in men. He explained that the testicles are located outside the body to keep them cool, and nylon underwear or anything that can increase the temperature of the testes will curb sperm production.
2. Bicycle riding
Dr Dawes explained that friction and the pressure from the bicycle seat may cause microtrauma on the testicular veins, leading to poor sperm quality and eventual infertility.
3. Ovulation dates
While it is expected that most adult women would understand how to calculate this, it is not necessarily the case. Dr Dawes said ovulation occurs 14 days after the period starts, not after it ends.
4. Overweight or underweight
Dr Dawes said these two extremes can affect a woman’s chances of conceiving. “Being overweight can hamper your fertility because of the excess hormones produced. If you are overweight and have difficulty getting pregnant, you may need to get screened for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). The same applies if you are underweight; it will affect your ovulation process and your menses. So maintaining your ideal body weight is crucial.”
5. Poor lifestyle choices
Common lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking, drug abuse and caffeine overconsumption can affect your fertility. He said that these factors decrease the sperm count and motility in men, and they cause irregular ovulation in women.
6. Stress
According to Dr Dawes, stress can affect your fertility as it causes emotional disturbances and as such can affect your menstrual cycle. He further pointed out that lack of sleep is also a contributing factor, so getting healthy rest at night can improve your well-being.
7. Overuse of lubricants
Studies indicate that vaginal lubricants negatively affect the motility of the sperm and interfere with fertilisation. Dr Dawes said this is because lubricants have an acidic pH which is enough to kill sperm, and some have a direct toxic effect on sperm.
