How does weight affect fertility?
Having a healthy body weight is important for both women and men to enhance fertility and prepare for pregnancy. For women, being underweight or overweight can affect menstrual regularity and ovulation. Obesity also increases the risk of pregnancy loss. Male obesity can alter hormone levels as well and in turn affect sperm count and motility. Healthy weight loss for individuals with a body mass index over 25 and healthy weight gain for individuals with a BMI under 18.5 can therefore improve fertility. Keep in mind that fad diets often deprive the body of key preconception nutrients and are not recommended.
To calculate your BMI, you can visit this website: CDC BMI Calculator.
Can I drink alcohol when trying to get pregnant?
There is some controversy around alcohol consumption while trying to get pregnant. Some studies show that having two or more alcoholic drinks per day decreases the chances of getting pregnant, while others have found no relationship between alcohol and fertility. In general, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommends limiting alcohol to fewer than two drinks per day. If you consume more than that or are concerned about your alcohol intake, please speak to your Penn Fertility Care provider for further discussion.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy is associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which can lead to birth defects and intellectual disability, and there has not been an established "safe" level of alcohol during pregnancy. We therefore recommend not consuming alcohol once you become pregnant.
What about caffeine?
While high levels of caffeine consumption (500 mg caffeine, which is equivalent to over 5 cups of coffee a day) are associated with decreased fertility, moderate caffeine consumption does not affect fertility outcomes. Drinking one-to-two cups of coffee per day (or equivalent) appears to be safe both when trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy.
How much exercise should I be getting?
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are intended for the general population, but the recommendations also apply to patients trying to get pregnant. They recommend at least 150-to-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity of 75-to-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week — this can include things like running and cycling. Additionally, they recommend muscle-strengthening activities such as weight-lifting two or more days a week.
The guidelines may seem overwhelming, but simply staying active and minimizing the amount of time spent sedentary are also beneficial. Small changes such as walking to work rather than driving or going for a hike on the weekends can be important steps toward a healthier lifestyle.