Important things to know about your fertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta 

India has a population of over 1.2 billion; the number of Indians suffering from infertility is huge. An estimated one in seven couple in India have fertility problems and mostly there is no known medical explanation and it is also believed that 10% of the general population suffers from some form of infertility. So, get educated and take control of your fertility. 

Do take note of the following points: 

1. Don’t be too fit to be pregnant: Yes you heard it right, do not be too fit; It is indeed very important to be healthy, but excessive exercise can negatively affect fertility in both men and women. A recent research conducted in US examining 2,232 women undergoing IVF treatment found that women who engaged in cardiovascular exercise for four hours or more per week prior to the treatment had a 40 per cent decrease in live birth rate. Men need to be aware of testicular heat negatively affecting their fertility, too. 

2. Don't rely on your pee. Be cautious when relying on urinary LH detection (ovulation) kits alone. The quality of cervical mucus falls rapidly as progesterone rises in response to the LH surge. Hence by the time the LH is detected by urinary ovulation kits, the cervical mucus quality may

have already declined in most women. 

3. Watch what you eat: Sperm and eggs take 100 to 120 days to mature, and the health of the sperm and eggs before conception. What you and your partner eat and your overall lifestyle in this period can influence the long-term health of children all the way into adulthood, and even into the next generation. 

4. Eat a fertility diet: Your diet contains a special role in your conceiving.  Fertility diet includes food which would enhance the egg and sperm quality and supports a healthy pregnancy. Food intake during IVF should be balanced with high content of folic acid containing foods. Here is the list of foods which are to be taken and which are to be avoided.