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A Womens' Life
ONE in seven couples has trouble conceiving. Age, Health and Lifestyle can all play a role - for both sexes. Here are the key factors that could determine your life
YOUR AGE
WOMEN: Age is still the biggest factor in fertility. "The optimal time for a woman to conceive is between the ages of 18 and 35," says fertility expert Professor Bill Ledger, of Sheffield University.
"After 35, fertility plummets rapidly." We're born with a fixed number of eggs and, as we age, the number we have left declines. "The quality of the eggs will also drop, upping the risk of problems such as miscarriage and Down's Syndrome," points out Professor Ledger.
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YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH
WOMEN: Although some experts say there's not enough evidence to prove that the STD chlamydia affects fertility, Professor Ledger asserts repeated infection does cause problems.
It's thought chlamydia, which has few obvious symptoms, damages the hairs along the fallopian tubes. This can cause scarring, which in turn leads the tubes to become blocked.
YOUR LIFESTYLE
WOMEN: "Women who smoke 20 cigarettes a day have menopause an average of two years earlier, which shows the damaging effect of smoking on the ovaries," says Professor Ledger.
It can reduce the number of eggs and interfere with reproductive hormones. He adds: "Large amounts of alcohol causes problems, but it's fine in moderation."
YOUR DIET
WOMEN: If your diet's high in processed foods and low in fresh fruit and vegetables, you may not be getting the nutrients you need to conceive.
All the B vitamins, including folic acid, are crucial, and vitamins C and E help too.
YOUR WEIGHT
WOMEN: Being overweight can affect conception but according to Professor Ledger, an underlying condition may be at the root of the problem.
"Many overweight women have no trouble - the problems seem to start if you are overweight and also have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)," he says. "Women with PCOS store fat and gain weight easily and if they become overweight it can stop them ovulating. The good news is just losing five to 10 per cent of your body weight seems to switch the ovaries back on."
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