Prevention of Infertility

80

Some strategies for prevention of infertility:

1)    Take precautions (such as the use of condoms) to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs, particularly gonorrhoea and Chlamydia, can infect the reproductive tract and cause blocked fallopian tubes or sperm carrying ducts.
2)    Seek prompt treatment for potential STDs. STDs cause more harm to fertility if they are untreated or not completely treated.
3)    When selecting a birth control method, learn about its possible impact on future fertility and make the appropriate choice.
4)    Make medical decisions with fertility in mind. Inquire about the impact of medications and herbal supplements on reproduction in men and women. If you develop a gynecologic condition, such as a uterine fibroid, endometriosis, or abnormal Pap smear, ask which treatments are most likely to preserve your fertility.
5)    Make fertility­ enhancing lifestyle choices.

•    In men, excess heat exposure can lower fertility. Avoid sauna’s and hot baths
•    Stop smoking to improve semen count in men and for women to increase fertility and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
•    Being underweight, losing weight rapidly, or exercising at an extreme level can impair fertility in both men and women.  Exercise moderately
•     In women, obesity is also associated with lower fertility. For some couples, changing exercise habits or achieving a more healthy body weight leads to conception with no medical treatment.

6)    Allow sufficient time to attempt conception. Many infertility factors do not make it impossible to conceive but lower the chance with each cycle. This lengthens the amount of time conception is likely to take.