With on in seven couples having trouble conceiving, infertility is becoming a significant health concern in Western populations. Infertility is defined as not conceiving after 12 month of regular sexual intercourse without birth control.
There are many factors that can influence fertility including age, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive disorders, smoking, stress, diet, alcohol intake, weight and exercise.
Female infertility can occur because of issues such as ovulation disfunction and hormonal imbalance, whereas male infertility is often due to low sperm count, decreased sperm mobility or infections/injury of the testes.
Infertility in men is just as common as in woman, therefore it is important to address diet and lifestyle factors of both parties when planning a family.
For couples who have been trying to conceive for more than three years, the likelihood of pregnancy occurring the next year is 25% or less. Around one in six couples can have difficulty conceiving. This is approximately 3.5 million people in the UK.
About 85% of couples will conceive naturally within a year if they have regular unprotected sex but the chance of becoming pregnant is much lower for woman over 36.
Current medical interventions for infertility include surgical procedures, invitro fertilisation (IVF), egg and sperm donation or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Nutritional status plays a pivotal role for conception, pregnancy and for the long terms health of the baby. Therefore it is important that nutrient levels are optimal pre, during and post pregnancy, especially during breastfeeding.