Preparing the body for conception involves optimizing health for both partners. This requires proactively removing factors that can impede fertility or pose a risk to an early, often unknown, pregnancy. Understanding these avoidable risks is an important step in supporting a healthy attempt to conceive, addressing habits, medications, and environmental exposures.
Habits and Substances to Immediately Cease
Couples attempting to conceive should completely stop all tobacco and nicotine use, as the chemicals in smoke severely affect reproductive health. For women, smoking can accelerate the loss rate of eggs, potentially leading to menopause one to four years earlier. Smoking is also associated with a greater risk of ectopic pregnancy and is linked to DNA damage in sperm, increasing the risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
Alcohol consumption should be minimized or entirely avoided by both partners. In women, alcohol disrupts the hormonal balance of sex hormones like estrogen, which can interfere with the normal menstrual cycle and ovulation. For men, excessive alcohol intake negatively impacts testosterone metabolism and spermatogenesis, resulting in reduced sperm count, poor motility, and abnormal shape.
Recreational drug use, including cannabis, cocaine, and opiates, can also impair reproductive function. Regular cannabis use in men has been associated with a decrease in sperm concentration and total sperm count. Cocaine use can reduce sperm motility and viability, making it more challenging for sperm to reach the egg.
Limiting caffeine intake is advised, with consumption generally recommended below 200 milligrams per day. While moderate intake is not definitively linked to infertility, excessive amounts may increase the time it takes to achieve pregnancy. High caffeine consumption during the initial weeks of pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight.
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medication Review
Before or during the period of trying to conceive, a thorough review of all pharmaceutical intake with a healthcare provider is necessary. Certain over-the-counter medications, specifically high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, should be avoided, particularly around ovulation. NSAIDs can inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are necessary for the mature ovarian follicle to release the egg.
Certain prescription drug classes carry known risks to a developing embryo. Oral retinoids, such as isotretinoin, are highly teratogenic and can cause severe birth defects. These medications must be discontinued, often with a required washout period, before attempting conception.
For women taking psychiatric medications or medications for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, suddenly stopping treatment is often more harmful than continuing. However, a doctor may suggest switching from certain agents, such as Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are associated with fetal anomalies. Some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are generally considered safer during conception, but others, like paroxetine, may be discouraged due to a slight risk of fetal heart defects.
Environmental Toxins and Physical Extremes
Exposure to certain environmental toxins can disrupt the body’s hormonal systems. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA) found in plastics, and various pesticides can mimic or block natural hormones. This interference can reduce sperm quality in men and impair ovarian function in women. Heavy metals, including lead and mercury, accumulate in the body and are associated with reduced fertility in both sexes.
For men, prolonged or frequent exposure to high heat can directly damage sperm production. Activities that increase scrotal temperature, such as frequent use of hot tubs or saunas, can lead to decreased sperm count, motility, and abnormal morphology.
Physical extremes can signal stress to the female reproductive system. Engaging in intense, prolonged exercise, often defined as more than seven hours of vigorous aerobic activity per week, can create an energy deficit and raise cortisol levels. This can suppress the release of reproductive hormones, leading to irregular cycles or anovulation. Maintaining a body weight outside of a healthy range (underweight or overweight) can also interfere with ovulation and hormonal balance.
Specific Dietary Hazards
Certain foods must be avoided because they pose a risk of foodborne illness, which can cause severe complications like miscarriage or stillbirth in early pregnancy. The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can be found in unpasteurized dairy products, soft cheeses, and refrigerated ready-to-eat deli meats, and has been linked to severe outcomes for the fetus. The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can be contracted from eating raw or undercooked meat and unwashed produce.
High-mercury fish should be eliminated from the diet because the heavy metal methylmercury is a neurotoxin that can damage the developing nervous system. Women trying to conceive should avoid large predatory fish that accumulate high levels of mercury, such as:
- Shark.
- Swordfish.
- King mackerel.
- Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico.
However, consuming low-mercury fish, such as salmon or shrimp, is encouraged in moderation for their beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.
Raw or undercooked eggs and meats, including sushi, should also be avoided due to the heightened risk of foodborne pathogens. Reducing consumption of highly processed foods and excessive sugar can help maintain the hormonal balance necessary for conception.