Fertility Study: Women Who Eat Fast Food Are Less Likely to Become Pregnant
Sexual health expert explains new study which links fast food consumption and reduced fertility
For the second year in a row, the U.S. fertility rate has hit a record low. While there are many possible factors behind our declining birth rate, new research has found many surprising culprits behind infertility – including a love of fast food.
Key Points
“If you or someone you love is struggling with infertility, this latest study out of Australia is definitely one to be aware of,” says Dr. Laura Berman, sexual health expert, radio host, television personality and New York Timesbestselling author. “The researchers found that women who eat fast food frequently have double the risk of infertility when compared to women who eat fast food rarely or never.”
What can explain this link? Berman points to the fact that fast food is highly processed and contains high amounts of sodium, saturated fats and added sugar.
So, what should women who are trying to conceive eat instead? Lots of seafood, according to a recent Harvard University study.
“The researchers found that couples who eat seafood frequently are more likely to have active sex lives and more likely to become pregnant,” says the sexual health expert. “Meanwhile, a Greek study has found that women who eat a Mediterranean diet are more likely to be successful on their IVF journey than women who do not. In other words, eating a plant-based diet with lots of healthy fats (such as olive oil and avocados) and lean protein like fish could help you to become pregnant,” says Dr. Berman, national radio show host of Uncovered with Dr. Laura Berman.
However, eating seafood and abstaining from Taco Bell won’t make a bit of difference if you are using the wrong lubrication in the bedroom, adds Berman.
“Couples know that they need to enjoy lots of love-making in order to increase their chance of conception, but when it comes to making babies, not all lubricants are created equal,” explains Berman. “There is only one lubricant on the market which has an FDA-cleared formula and is recommended for fertility enhancement, and that is ToConceive.”
ToConceive was created by ob-gyns in conjunction with Callitas Health Inc. The fertility-enhancing gel is unlike any other fertility product on the market in that it may help encourage the woman’s body to create more of her own lubrication, which in turn may increase the activation of sperm and the woman’s chances of pregnancy. Unlike every other lubricant on the market, ToConceive doesn’t just add chemical lubricants to a woman’s body, it may encourage her to make more of her own natural lubrication which not only adds to her pleasure, but also may improve her chances of natural conception.
“There are so many things that couples can do to help protect their reproductive health and increase their chances of getting pregnant,” says Berman. “Using the right lubrication is a simple and cost-effective step to take before heading to the fertility clinic.”
