Infertility Can Be Just Temporary

Are you having trouble conceiving? Could you or your partner be infertile? Could this infertility be temporary? The answer to all the above questions is yes. Infertility need not be a permanent issue. It can be just temporary, and it may be possible to restore your fertility with a little effort and the right guidance. If you are wondering how to improve your fertility, this one is for you!

Infertility

Infertility is when a person is unable to have biological children. Infertility can affect both men and women of varying age groups, ethnicities, and health conditions. A woman is considered infertile when she is unable to get pregnant or retain the pregnancy. A male is considered infertile when he is unable to impregnate his partner.

When a couple is unable to conceive naturally despite trying for a year or more, they should consider consulting a fertility specialist to identify the potential causes for the delay. Sometimes fertility issues can be temporary, and small changes in diet or lifestyle can help restore fertility. In some cases, they may be required to undergo treatments or even opt for assisted reproductive techniques if they are keen on having biological children.

Infertility caused by genetics or an underlying health condition may or may not be restorable.

Causes for Temporary Infertility

Some common causes for temporary infertility are –

Hormones – Stress, PCOS, thyroid imbalance, or hypothalamic dysfunction can cause fluctuations in hormone levels. Hormonal imbalance can interfere with ovulation, implantation, and other reproductive functions, thus delaying pregnancy or making it difficult to conceive.
Birth Control – Hormonal birth control like injections, pills, vaginal ring, or IUI, works by suppressing hormones responsible for pregnancy and ovulation. The impact on the hormones lasts as long as you take the birth control.
Lifestyle – Alcohol, smoking, and drugs can cause temporary infertility by affecting overall health and hormones necessary for a successful, healthy pregnancy. These habits can interfere with ovulation, hinder the fertilisation process, or even result in early miscarriages. If left uncontrolled, these temporary issues can become permanent or require medical treatments to restore fertility.
Medications – Certain medications can interfere with the reproductive system’s functioning or cause hormonal imbalances that can affect the menstrual cycle. Antidepressants, medications for high blood pressure, or high-dose NSAIDs can cause temporary infertility.

Infections – UTIs and STIs can interfere with the reproduction process and make implantation very hard. Until the infection is resolved, pregnancy can be very challenging. If you do manage to conceive, the risk of premature birth, preterm delivery, infection spreading to the baby, or a miscarriage is very high.
Heat – When a man’s testicles are exposed to heat frequently due to his working conditions, wearing tight pants, or using a hot tub very often, it can negatively impact his sperm production and cause temporary infertility.
Exposure – Exposure to environmental toxins, radiation, and other harmful pollutants can cause infertility in both men and women. Some reports suggest that frequent exposure of the testicles to radiation from mobile phones can also temporarily affect sperm quantity and quality. Though conclusive evidence is still not available, it is advisable to limit scrotum proximity to mobile phones.
Diet – Following extreme diets to lose weight quickly, eating unhealthy foods, or heavily processed foods can interfere with the body’s BMI and hormonal balances, thus affecting one’s fertility. Sudden weight loss or anaemia can hinder a woman’s ability to conceive.
Oxidative Stress – Varicocele, smoking, alcohol, environmental toxins, and a high sugar or fat diet can cause damage to the sperm’s DNA or motility, thus affecting how it moves to meet the egg. Similarly, in women, oxidative stress can affect the oocyte quality by impairing egg development and damaging DNA. As a result, fertilisation rates decrease and the risk of miscarriage or complications in pregnancy increases.
Medical Treatments – Various medical treatments, including cancer treatments, can cause temporary infertility until the effect of the treatment wears off. The duration of this impact on fertility depends on the treatment, its impact on reproductive health, and how quickly the individual recovers.

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Solution for Temporary Infertility

Most fertility-related issues are temporary. Identifying the exact cause and treating it in time can reduce the impact on fertility and prevent it from becoming permanent infertility. Here is what you can do to restore fertility. If these don’t work, it is advisable to consult a fertility specialist for professional guidance.

Change Diet – Start focusing on nutritious foods. Include foods rich in essential nutrients, protein, and antioxidants while cutting back on foods rich in fats and sugar. Reduce your consumption of heavily processed foods as well.
Regular Exercise – Start moving your body regularly. Start with regular, moderate exercise and gradually increase the intensity or duration. Intense exercise can also impact hormone balance, so balance is the key. Don’t try to catch up on your physical health in a brief period.
Weight Management – Maintaining a healthy BMI is essential for reproductive health in both men and women. If you are too heavy or too light, start changing your eating habits and exercises to bring your weight to the recommended range. If you are below your BMI, try strength training to gain more muscle and increase weight in a healthy way.
Stress Management – Find ways to combat your stress effectively. Engage in activities like yoga, art, or meditation to help you relax and reduce stress levels. If work or some other factor is causing stress, come up with ideas or ways to balance it by taking frequent breaks or trying new activities that can help you shift focus completely, at least for a while.
Consult a Doctor – If you are undergoing any medical treatment or taking medications, consult a doctor to understand if it could be causing your infertility. A proper diagnosis can help identify the exact issue and find solutions for the same. Sometimes your doctor can alter your medications to ensure it does not affect your hormonal balance and fertility.

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Tips to Improve Fertility

In addition to the above mentioned solutions, here are some everyday tips to improve overall fertility in both men and women –

Prioritise sleep - Ensure you get good quality sleep most nights. Sleep is essential for the body to reset and for the hormones to function properly. Sleep deprivation can lead to many issues apart from infertility.
Take supplements - If you are planning a pregnancy, consult your doctor and start taking prenatal vitamins and other essential supplements as needed. What your body requires can vary according to gender, age, and overall health.
Drink Water – Hydration is essential for fertility and other bodily functions. Dehydration can affect the hormone balance and organ function, leading to infertility. Opt to drink plain water instead of energy drinks or juices.
Limit Caffeine – Caffeine in tea, coffee, or energy drinks can feel great temporarily for a boost of energy, but excess caffeine can affect fertility. So limit consumption to 300 mg a day.
Track Dates – Track menstruation dates to know when ovulation occurs. Time your intercourse and increase the frequency to increase your chances. Having sex every other day during the fertile window can ensure the sperm are always present to penetrate the egg whenever it is released.

Book an online appointment with Dr. Shilpi Srivastava for Fertility related issues.

Conclusion

An individual’s fertility can be affected by various factors, big or small. While most have a temporary effect, meaning fertility can be restored by addressing the factors affecting it, some can be permanent. With proper diagnosis and timely treatment, temporary infertility can be restored effectively. If you are having trouble conceiving, seek professional guidance instead of trying to fix the possible causes yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is infertility always permanent?

No, in many cases, the infertility is temporarily caused by diet, lifestyle factors, medications, and exposures. Rectifying or modifying these factors can help restore fertility. In some cases, the individual may need a little more help medically in addition to removing the factors causing the temporary infertility.

What causes temporary infertility?

Temporary infertility in women can be caused by medications, hormonal birth control, excess weight loss or weight gain, PCOS, endometriosis, medical conditions, and exposure to certain environmental factors. For men, Varicocele, excess heat exposure in the testicles, or wearing tight pants can cause infertility in addition to lifestyle factors.

Can male infertility be temporary?

Yes, male infertility caused by medications, medical treatments, varicocele, stress, or exposing the testicles to heat regularly can cause temporary infertility. Reducing exposure or stopping the medicines and treatment can help restore fertility. Not all male infertility issues are temporary, but many of them can be rectified with small changes or treatments.

Can PCOS cause temporary infertility?

Yes, PCOS can cause hormonal imbalances that can interfere with a female’s reproductive process. Hormonal imbalance can negatively impact ovulation and implantation, making conception difficult. Treating PCOS-triggered hormonal imbalance can help increase the chances of pregnancy or restore fertility.