Hey baby, try these fertility tips
Monday March 10 2008
One in six couples in Ireland are affected by infertility and, while the reasons are complex, some basic rules may help.
- Stop drinking alcohol: even one drink may increase infertility by 30pc.
The reason is that alcohol increases the hormone prolactin, which inhibits the two hormones necessary for ovulation.
- Cut back on coffee: add soft drinks containing caffeine to the list.
- Get thyroid levels checked: if you have a tendency to be constipated, intolerant to cold, have dry skin or thinning hair, or your temperature hovers around 92 degrees or less, there is a good chance your thyroid is slightly underactive.
- Focus on the male partner: sperm counts are dropping. Some experts suggest that men take 500mg of vitamin C twice a day. Take 50mg of zinc for four months.
- Get a good multivitamin: men should look for a multivitamin that contains up to 200mcg a day of selenium and vitamin E.
- Drink more water: both partners should examine if they are getting enough water. Keep a bottle or glass nearby and have a slug. It can be a major energy booster.
- Watch your weight: being overweight reduces both male and female fertility. In women, it can affect ovulation. Being underweight can also impact on fertility, particularly for women, who will not ovulate if they are severely underweight.
- Check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs): there are several STIs which can cause infertility. The most common is chlamydia.
- Stop smoking: it can affect your general and long-term health and fertility.
- Eilish O'Regan
