Parenting Future: 9 Factors That Affect Reproductive Health

1. Age

When to have a child and whether to have, only the future parents themselves should decide, and outside pressure is inappropriate here. However, when planning a pregnancy in particular, it is helpful to know what research on reproductive age has to say. Now the average age of birth of the first child in the Russian Federation isThe Ministry of Labor named the average age of birth of the first child in Russia / TASS 28 years, and by 2030 this figure may shift to 30 years. And this is a global trend: in the USA in 2020, the average age of childbirth wasUS birth rate falls 4% to its lowest point ever / BBC News 27 years old against 23 in 2010. The numbers are interesting and so far not very frightening, but still do not forget that with age, women may decreaseMenopause / Mayo Clinic the production of estrogens and progesterone, and these hormones are importantPROGESTERONE / National Center for Biotechnology Information for the onset of pregnancy and its normal course.

The number ofOvarian Reserve / American society for reproductive medicine

capable of fertilizing eggs. It is difficult to name the exact age after which a woman's ability to conceive is guaranteed to drop sharply, but American scientists believeOvarian Reserve / American society for reproductive medicinethat it happens at about 35 years old. The same threshold can be associated with an increase in the probabilityHaving a Baby After Age 35: How Aging Affects Fertility and Pregnancy / The American Colledge of obstetricians and gynecologists diagnosing uterine fibroids and endometriosis. In addition, the age of the mother may also increase the child's risk of developing Down syndrome.Down syndrome / Mayo Clinic and autism spectrum disordersAutism Spectrum Disorder / Cleveland Clinic.

Do not think that the notorious ticking clock is an exclusively female trigger. Father's age is also an important indicator. Apert's syndrome, schizophrenia, autism, achondroplasia - these serious diagnoses may be relatedShould we be worried about advanced paternal age? / American society for reproductive medicine with advanced paternal age. At the hormonal level, men, however, remain more stable with age: the level of testosterone, the main reproductive hormone in men, also decreases, but by only 1%Male menopause: Myth or reality? / Mayo Clinic a year after 40 years.

2. Weight

Overweight and underweight can be attributed to up to 12%Quick Facts About Infertility / American society for reproductive medicine cases of infertility: unnecessary or missing pounds can causeWeight and Fertility / American society for reproductive medicine irregular menstruation and ovulation disorders in women and decrease sperm motility and testosterone production in men.

The numbers on the scales are an alarming factor for many, but in medicine it is not this factor that is taken into account, but the body mass index. You can check your BMI without leaving your home - it's an easy way to roughly understand if your weight is healthy. It is enough to measure the height and weight, and then enter the resulting data into a special calculator. The boundaries of the BMI norm are conditional. Thus, the UK National Health Service recommendsOverview / National Health Service stick to the interval from 18.5 to 24.9. This is a very important, but not the only indicator for the diagnosis of obesity. Both for pregnancy and childbirth, and for health in general, the ratio of bone, fat and muscle tissue must also be taken into account.

3. Timely appeals to specialists

Not everyone asks for help when something hurts. It seems that the symptoms of a cold can be defeated with tea with raspberries and honey, and if after a summer cottage the hand is ill - it is enough to reduce the load and lubricate the disturbing area with something from your home first aid kits. In fact, such excuses from going to a specialist are very dangerous. For example, a seemingly harmless problem with eternally freezing feet in combination with other subtle symptoms can become one of the manifestationsAnemia / Mayo Clinic anemia is a dangerous condition, severe forms of which are incompatible with pregnancy.

The delay in referrals to specialists is even called one of the reasons low life expectancy for men. Being embarrassed to deal with symptoms that seem ridiculous can affect reproductive health as well. But it's important to remember that embarrassment can be very costly. Many diseases, such as leiomyomaUterine leiomyomas, current concepts / National Center for Biotechnology Information uteri are asymptomatic for a long time, and only a specialist can diagnose them at an early stage, while the tumor still does not cause significant harm.

Also, regular check-ups can be especially important after an abortion. If the procedure was unsafe, its possible consequencesSafe abortion: recommendations / WHO can become genital infections, bleeding and damage to the vagina and uterus.

4. Bad habits

According to the WHO, annuallyAlcohol / WHO due to the addiction of people to high-grade drinks, the mortality statistics add up to three million lives. Tobacco kills half of those who simply indulge in and smoke: this toxic addiction costs humanityTobacco / WHO eight million deaths a year. Parents-to-be should be especially careful about the risk factors for their unhealthy habits and addictions. Even mom's secondhand smoke is serious danger for the baby's body.

And the combination of smoking with alcohol can to raise stillbirth risks two to three times more. And dads shouldn't relax here either: drinking alcoholGenetic and Epigenetic Perspectives on the Role of Fathers in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder / Canada FASD Research Network before conception affects the composition of the sperm and the health of the potential child.

5. Sexual infections

GonorrheaGonorrhoea / National Health Service, chlamydia and many other sexually transmitted infections can be asymptomatic for a long timeHow soon do STI symptoms appear? / National Health Service, accumulating its destructive power and eventually leading to infertility. Human papillomavirus is one of the diseases that many prefer not to notice and not treat, but this approach is also dangerous. HPV is not only linked to an increased risk of cancerHuman papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer / WHObut also able to influenceInfluence of various variants of human papillomavirus infection on spontaneous fertility and the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technologies / A. Garolla, F. Muscianisi, B. Engl, M. Menegazzo, D. Pizzol, I. Cosci, M. Ghezzi, C. Foresta on male fertility and the likelihood of miscarriage. Therefore, it is important to plan a pregnancy and undergo screening in advance for diseases that are especially dangerous for future parents and the fetus. So, even before conception, you can manage to cope with the impact that both the disease and its treatment have on the body.

6. Nutrition

For years living on fast food and semi-finished products, and a week before the planned conception, switching to vegetables, brown rice and spinach is a senseless undertaking. Nutrition should be correct on an ongoing basis. Moreover, not only mothers should think about the diet. Only a third of cases of infertility are associated with female factors, the same amount is due to a combination of female and male reasons. And another thirdWhat Causes Infertility? / American society for reproductive medicine refers to the reproductive health of men, which is also influenced by diet. Ignored celiac disease can cause male infertilityMale infertility / Mayo Clinic or a low-protein diet - an insufficient amount of protein in a man's diet is capable of lead to cardiovascular diseases in the fetus.

It is important for both parents to know that supplements like folate and zinc can have potentialLow sperm count / Mayo Clinic benefits for the quantity or quality of sperm, and for a healthy pregnancy.

Do not forget about the benefits vegetables, in particular broccoli and tomatoes, which can have a positive effect on men's health. And, of course, it is especially important to monitor the mother's diet during pregnancy itself.

There are other foods that should be excluded from the diet, or at least limit their appearance on the menu. These include, for example, coffee and soda. Abusing the first, by some datamay be associated with low fetal weight. And your favorite sizzling drink is able to reduceOne or More Sodas a Day Associated with Lower Chance of Getting Pregnant / Pioneering research from Boston University chances of a successful conception.

7. Sport

It is necessary to keep the body in good shape, but balance is important everywhere: excessive physical activity can causeAnovulation / Cleveland Clinic anovulation and reduce the production of progesterone in women. And men who take care of themselves should not get carried away with "drying" and immensely limit eating fat. Testosterone is formed from cholesterol, so if there is a lack of fat in the body, the main male sex hormone may suffer. Anabolic steroid addiction is also dangerous: drugs for gaining muscle mass can also causeMale infertility / Mayo Clinic infertility.

Lying for 24 hours and stroking the tummy is also an unsafe tactic for pregnancy. A sedentary lifestyle is dangerous not only before conception, but also after, because it can lead, at least, to overweight. Obesity during pregnancy is associatedObesity and pregnancy / National Health Service with an increased risk of miscarriage and premature birth, gestational diabetes, the likelihood of a surgical birth, and difficulty with epidural anesthesia. Walking a lot, doing swimming and special yoga for pregnant women are great ways to keep your body and your mood up.

8. Stress

A common reason to postpone children for later is the desire to build a career. Senior positions involve high responsibility and an equally high level of stress. And even though in the 21st century everyone is already accustomed to this word, the influence of nervous tension on reproductive functions cannot be underestimated. Stress and low physical activity can affectHealthy sperm: Improving your fertility / Mayo Clinic on male sex hormones and inhibit sexual function. In women, stress, along with malnutrition and excessive exercise, becomes a risk factor for the development of amenorrhea.Amenorrhea / Mayo Clinic - so called the absence of menstruation.

In addition, unsuccessful attempts at conception or a complicated pregnancy can also cause stress. In this case, you can get psychological support from non-profit organizations throughout the country. For example, specialists from the Light in Hands Foundation will help to cope with the worries of an interrupted pregnancy.

9. Living conditions

Habitual amenities and objects can be dangerous to the reproductive system. For example, heated seats and a sauna canTHE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AFFECTING YOUR FERTILITY / The University of Melbourne negatively affect the activity of sperm - mobile fertilizers love coolness, and exposure to high temperatures is destructive for them. Health at home is also at risk: some household chemicals, food, store receipts and plastic bottles can alsoTHE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AFFECTING YOUR FERTILITY / The University of Melbourne harm the state of the eggs, the composition of the sperm, and even the embryo.

Special attention of researchers isWhat is BPA, and what are the concerns about BPA? / Mayo Clinic bisphenol A - It is used in food containers, water bottles and cans. Any thoughtsWhat is BPA, and what are the concerns about BPA? / Mayo Clinicthat bisphenol A can negatively affect the fetus and the development of young children. There is no exact data on the permissible safe dosage of the substance, but many manufacturers already offer products with a special mark that there is no bisphenol A in the composition.

To reduce the risks associated with harsh chemicals, simple rules can be followedTHE HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AFFECTING YOUR FERTILITY / The University of Melbourne. It is necessary to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables, do not reheat food in soft plastic containers, switch to electronic checks, because paper ones can be covered with dubious compositions, and more often air out at home and on work.