Why 1 in 8 Couples Will Struggle to Have a Baby
Having a baby is the natural next step for many couples, and people often think don’t expect that they will have trouble conceiving when the time comes, but it happens more often than you would think. The fact is, one in every eight couples will struggle to have a baby – and it may come as a surprise to learn that it isn’t always the woman’s fault! Why is it becoming increasingly difficult to become pregnant?
Male fertility is declining not only in the Austin area but around the world. In fact, up to 40% of fertility issues can be attributed to men. The reasons vary and may be related to lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and medical issues. From illness and sexual intercourse/ejaculation problems to varicocele or other anatomical problems, there are countless factors that impact men’s fertility. Certain drugs or medications, alcohol consumption, being overweight, and smoking are just some of the things that can affect fertility. As in women, age can also play a role in male fertility. If there are seemingly small fertility issues on both the male and female sides of the equation they can add up to significantly delayed conception.
More and more couples today are waiting to start a family, focusing on education, career, and other areas of their lives first. Essentially, they are working to establish a strong foundation prior to having a baby. The problem with this is that it becomes more difficult to conceive as a woman approaches her mid-30s and beyond due to diminished egg quality and quantity.
Lifestyle choices are a factor for both partners as well. Generally speaking, unhealthy habits including diet, too much or too little exercise, smoking, drinking alcohol, or caffeine, or taking certain drugs results in poor health. An unhealthy body is one that’s less fertile.
Acupuncture, stress reduction, and living a healthy lifestyle can all enhance your fertility to its fullest. If you are in the Austin or Round Rock area and want to do everything possible to reduce the odds you will be that one couple out of eight, contact Sage Acupuncture today.