Infertility

Infertility affects about 15% of the population or about 70 million couples of reproductive age.

 

Infertility

  • Fertility is the ability to conceive considering the number of live births in a given time. Infertility is defined by the inability of a sexually active couple to achieve pregnancy after one year or more of regular unprotected intercourse without methods of contraception. Infertility is often a reversible state, as the ability to reproduce constantly shifts.

  • A female must ovulate and release an egg into the fallopian tube for conception to occur. Within a small window of time, male sperm must join or fertilize the egg within the fallopian tube. After fertilization, the fertilized egg must travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus where the embryo attaches and implants in the uterus. If any or several steps of the conception process are interrupted, infertility can occur.

  • There are many causes of infertility that vary by sex, including ovulatory disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, inadequate hormone production, hormonal imbalances, lack of LH, short luteal phase, anovulatory cycles, tubal disease, chromosomal abnormalities, sperm factors, and unexplained infertility. The major disease-related causes of infertility in males and females include hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, disorders of ciliary function, cystic fibrosis, infection, systemic disease, and lifestyle-related factors and diseases. See female fertility and male fertility for more information.

  • The major disease-related causes of infertility in males and females include hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, disorders of ciliary function, cystic fibrosis, infection, systemic disease, and lifestyle-related factors and diseases.

  • Infertile couples should seek evaluation and establish a relationship with a qualified physician. The evaluation will help identify the specific causes of infertility and decide on appropriate treatment. There are many medical treatments for infertility, including in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF/ET), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), ovum donation, and other assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that are available.

Adhering to a healthy diet that favors fish, poultry, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit is associated with better fertility in women and greater semen quality in men.

The Relationship Between Nutrition and Fertility

  • Body Weight and Fertility

    Females and males that are both overweight and underweight are at risk of reduced fertility due to hormonal fluctuations. A BMI below 20 or greater than 30 is out of the optimal range for fertility. Thus, by maintaining ideal body weight, males and females can increase their fertility

  • Lifestyle Factors and Fertility

    Lifestyle and environmental factors significantly affect male and female fertility, including body weight, unbalanced nutrition, and unhealthy diets. Abnormal body weight, excessive energy intake of macronutrients and micronutrients, and energy restriction can negatively impact normal ovulatory function and spermatogenesis.

  • Mediterranean Diet and Fertility

    A healthy preconception dietary pattern has a beneficial effect on fertility in males and females of reproductive age. For example, adhering to a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean Diet, that favors fish, poultry, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit is associated with better fertility in women and greater semen quality in men

More About the Mediterranean Diet