Do Bad Holiday Habits Affect Fertility?

With the end of the year just around the corner, you and your partner may be too busy thinking about Grandma’s sugar cookies or an annual visit from cousins on the West Coast to realize that some of your bad holiday habits can affect fertility. Dr. Mark Denker and the team at Palm Beach Fertility Center provide these tips for staying ahead of the game.

Avoid these holiday habits to stay healthy this season:

1. No Sleep: A new study presented by Korean researchers at this year’s American Society for Reproductive Medicine conference concluded that more than half (53 percent) of IVF patients who got 7-8 hours of sleep (the “moderate” amount) became pregnant. Short sleepers who got 4-6 hours had a 46 percent pregnancy rate, while 43 percent of IVF patients who got 9 hours or more of sleep successfully conceived. Sleep can also strengthen your immune system, according to the Mayo Clinic. To get through the holidays, try to make sure you’re in bed early enough to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
2. Stress: Many women associate the holidays with a large amount of stress, which comes from attempting to coordinate regular household duties, travel, and work. While the link between fertility and stress is inconclusive, stress can affect a woman’s hormones (as well as her libido), thus having an impact. Treat yourself to a massage or pedicure to ease stress and make the holidays fun.
3. Diet & Weight Gain: Fertility specialist Dr. Denker recommends that women trying to conceive watch their caffeine and alcohol consumption, two things that are usually prevalent during the holidays. Additionally, those menu items you love can also have an effect. Weight gain can cause infertility in men and women because it can lead to hormone disturbances.

When it comes to fertility this holiday season, Dr. Denker encourages you to focus on eating in moderation, exercising when possible, and not allowing the stress of the season to overwhelm you. Contact us at Palm Beach Fertility Center for a plan to become pregnant and welcome a baby home in time for next holiday season.