Bath Fertility Centre is encouraging people to make the healthier lifestyle changes they may have made at the start of the year for the long term, particularly if they are trying to conceive.
One month of a healthy lifestyle is a good start, but to increase your chances of conceiving it’s important to not slip back into old habits now February has arrived.
Improving your physical health by losing weight, quitting smoking and drinking less can have a profound effect according to experts.
For smokers, ditching the cigarettes can affect fertility chances in multiple ways. Men who smoke are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, a low sperm count and hormonal imbalances.
For women, smoking speeds up ovarian ageing and of course smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth rate and prematurity.
The good news though is that adopting a healthier lifestyle can in many cases overcome the problems.
Quitting alcohol can also help men to improve their sperm count and fertility.
Senior Medical Director at Bath Fertility Centre Nick Sharp said, “Aside from ditching the cigarettes and excessive alcohol, other lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and regular exercise can also have a positive effect on fertility as being over or underweight can make it difficult for some people to conceive.
“The important thing is to make long term changes. Whilst dry January is a good start it may not be the case that one month off the drink will lead to a pregnancy.
“We would advise making achievable, wholesale changes to your lifestyle to help control weight and reduce the intake of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco to give yourself a better chance.
“Whilst this approach may prove successful for some, others may need a little more help if they are trying for a baby in 2017.
“We offer a free initial appointment at our open evenings for anyone who feels they may be having trouble to conceive and we can offer advice on the best way for them to proceed, whether that’s through lifestyle changes or specialist support from our dedicated team.”
Bath Fertility Centre moved to its purpose-built facility in 2013 and recently released data showing that, following their move, success rates have skyrocketed.
In women up to the age of 35, the success rate for those undertaking up to three cycles of IVF is an amazing 89 per cent, with over 180 babies born already and more due.
For more information on Bath Fertility Centre, visit Bathfertility.com or call 01761 434464.