I will start with the “big” and maybe the most obvious ones.

Smoking

Smoking can be linked to a delay in conception generally, earlier menopause, implantation failure / miscarriage and less successful IVF.

 
Alcohol

Alcohol is linked to failure to ovulate, a lack of periods, the abnormal development of the endometrial lining, and it may also alter progesterone and oestrogen.

The good news with both of the above is that within a couple of months of stopping the side effects will improve.

 
Weight

Weight is another influencing factor. Ensuring your BMI is within the normal range (18.5 – 24.9) is important. If you are too thin you will produce too little oestrogen, if you are over weight you will produce too much. But again, the good news is for every pound you gain/loose your fertility will improve.

 
Exercise

Exercise is another important lifestyle change and can help a lot but, it is important not to over do it as it has a negative effect on fertility. Ideally you should be taking part in some form of aerobic exercise 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes at a time.

Certain medication can be detrimental to fertility below is a list of the most common culprits

• Painkillers ibuprofen may interfere with ovulation, however, paracetamol is fine
• Antidepressants affect hormones
• Antihistamines dry up nasal mucus may do the same to cervical mucus
• Diuretics if you get a dry mouth as a side effect probably doing the same to cervical mucus
• Expectorants thin mucus making cervical mucus stretchier
• Steroids can prevent normal ovulation
• Motion sickness pills affect cervical mucus

Obviously we all know people who have got pregnant despite all the above – my philosophy is that sometimes by tweaking things like the above we can just tip the balance in the favour of a pregnancy – sometimes we need to do the whole lot all at the same time and sometimes we do everything and we are still just unlucky.

Good luck.