In medicine, a risk factor is something that raises the risk of developing a condition, disease or symptom. For example, obese people are more likely to develop diabetes type 2 compared to people of normal weight; therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.
Age – a woman’s fertility starts to drop after she is about 35 years old, and continues doing so. A 60-year-old man is usually less fertile than a man in his 20s (male fertility progressively drops after the age of 40).
Smoking – smoking significantly increases the risk of infertility in both men and women. Smoking may also undermine the effects of fertility treatment. Even when a woman gets pregnant, if she smokes she has a greater risk of miscarriage.
Alcohol consumption – a woman’s pregnancy can be seriously affected by any amount of alcohol consumption. Alcohol abuse may lower male fertility. Moderate alcohol consumption has not been shown to lower fertility in most men but is thought to lower fertility in men who already have a low sperm count.
Being obese or overweight – in industrialized countries overweight/obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are often found to be the principal causes of female infertility. An overweight man has a higher risk of having abnormal sperm.
Eating disorders – women who become seriously underweight as a result of an eating disorder may have fertility problems.
Being Vegan – if you are a strict vegan you must make sure your intake of iron, folic acid, zinc and vitamin B-12 are adequate, otherwise, your fertility may become affected. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM) found that women who are deficient in vitamin D are half as likely to conceive using IVF compared with women without vitamin D deficiency.
Over-exercising – a woman who exercises for more than seven hours each week may have ovulation problems.
Not exercising – leading a sedentary lifestyle is sometimes linked to lower fertility in both men and women.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – chlamydia can damage the fallopian tubes, as well as making the man’s scrotum become inflamed. Some other STIs may also cause infertility.
Exposure to some chemicals – some pesticides, herbicides, metals (lead) and solvents have been linked to fertility problems in both men and women. Drinking water from PET bottles exposed to extreme heat has also been linked to Infertility.
Mental stress – studies indicate that female ovulation and sperm production may be affected by mental stress. If at least one partner is stressed it is possible that the frequency of sexual intercourse is less, resulting in a lower chance of conception.
