Stressful work life, late hours and sedentary lifestyle affect fertility: experts

Various factors such as high stress due to work, long working hours and lack of physical activity can influence fertility. Women and men need to improve fertility by controlling work-related stress, eating healthy foods despite irregular working hours and overtime, and exercising at least 30 minutes every day to break the habit of being sedentary.
Prioritising career can lead to delays in marriage and family planning for both women and men. Many women and men choose to postpone marriage and parenthood due to career aspirations and goals. Although many tend to prioritise career life which is also important, these actions can affect the fertility of both women and men.
“In today’s fast-paced world, there is intense competition and pressure to succeed in one’s particular profession. If stress is not managed well, it can affect sleeping patterns and eating habits, besides leading to dependency on substances like caffeine, alcohol and drugs, all of which can hamper fertility. High stress levels increase the risk of hormonal imbalances, disrupted ovulation cycles and problems in pregnancy which can prove to be worrying. Irregular work schedules, late hours at the office, lack of physical activity and unhealthy dietary choices are certain factors that can affect a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. Postponing marriage for the sake of a career can result in a reduction in the quantity and quality of eggs, necessitating assisted reproductive technology for fertilization,” said Dr Rupali Tambe, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Pune.
“Increased stress, long working hours and sedentary lifestyles among today’s working population are having a significant impact on male fertility. High stress can reduce sperm quality and testosterone levels, thereby inhibiting fertilization. Irregular sleeping patterns and hormonal disturbances due to late working hours can exacerbate this problem. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and low sperm count, which in turn leads to fertility issues. Approximately 20-30% of infertility cases are caused by abnormal sperm counts, a trend that appears to be increasing along with associated medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension. These health problems are often the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. However, adopting a healthier diet, exercising regularly and managing stress effectively can help improve sperm count and overall fertility outcomes. “Relaxation practices like meditation and yoga, as well as adequate sleep, are very important for maintaining reproductive health,” explains Dr Padma Srivastava, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Lullanagar, Pune.
“Both women and men should plan for pregnancy with the guidance of a fertility specialist from an early age. Couples can opt for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and egg freezing after consulting with experts. Stay away from stress by doing yoga and meditation to help deal with work-related stress, express your feelings to family and friends, practice self-care and seek counselling if needed. Women and men should also exercise every day for at least 30 minutes and eat nutritious food due to long and busy work schedules. “The working population should follow a healthy lifestyle so that they can get pregnant without any problems in the future,” concluded Dr Rupali.

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