Causes of Infertility

Dreaming of growing your family but having difficulty conceiving? Reproduction is complex and involves the interrelationship of genetic, biological, environmental and behavioral processes. Infertility is diagnosed as the inability to become pregnant after one year of unprotected sex.

If you are struggling to conceive, there can be many causes some of which are diet and lifestyle related. Nutrition is an important treatment intervention for infertility because it can address proper body fat, help incorporate necessary antioxidants which protect egg and sperm from damage, and provide necessary vitamins and minerals which are needed for proper metabolic and hormone function.

A clinical nutritionist can provide patients with preconception and fertility counseling based on a thorough health and nutrition assessment.

CAUSES OF INFERTILITY TO CONSIDER:

Females and Males	Females	Males
Weight Loss > 10 – 15% of Normal Weight	Use of Oral Contraceptives (within 2 months of trying to conceive)	Zinc Deficiency
Inadequate Antioxidant Status (vitamin C, vitamin E, beta- carotene, selenium)	Eating Disorder (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa)	Heavy Metal Toxin Exposure (mercury, lead, cadmium, manganese)
Underweight (inadequate body fat)	Vegan Diet (inadequate nutrition needed for conception)	Exposure to Toxic Halogens (found in pesticides) and Glycol (found in antifreeze and de-icers)
Overweight – Excess Body Fat (particularly abdominal fat)	Age > 35 years	Estrogen Exposure (caused by PCBs and pesticides such as DDT)
Extreme Exercise	The Female Athlete Triad (amenorrhea, disordered eating, osteoporosis)	Sperm Defects (cause issues with quality and motility of sperm)
High Intake of Alcohol	Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)	Excess Heat to Testes
Endocrine Disorders (Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s Disease)	Endometriosis	Steroid Use
Abnormalities of Reproductive System	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)	High Intake of Soy Foods (soy has an estrogenic effect)
Chromosomal Abnormalities occurring in sperm or eggs	Poor Iron Stores
Celiac Disease (Celiac Spru or Gluten-Sensitive Enteropathy – an autoimmune disorder) causes malnutrition	Metabolic Syndrome
Oxidative Stress (caused by free radicals and toxins)
Severe Psychological Stress (causes hormone imbalances)
Infection (sexually transmitted diseases)
Health Disorders (diabetes, cancer, other)
Medications

Sources:

Brown J. Nutrition Through the Life Cycle, 4th Edition, International Edition. Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom, United States: Wadsworth CENGAGE Learning; 2011:57.

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I wish you good health, happiness and love!

Danielle

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CAUSES OF INFERTILITY TO CONSIDER:

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