How should one pay attention to diet with infertility?

Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on March 12, 2025
00:00
00:00

Infertility requires first identifying the cause of infertility, whether it is related to male factors or female factors. The likelihood of diet affecting infertility is not very high, however, if there is excessive obesity or extreme thinness, appropriate changes need to be made. Relevant examinations should be conducted, such as tests for blood sugar, insulin levels, etc. Patients with infertility should, like everyone else, avoid overly selective eating habits, pay attention to their weight, and maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate nutrition intake, and avoid eating junk food.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Kang Jian Hua
Reproductive Center
45sec home-news-image

How is infertility caused?

Infertility can occur if there is an issue with either partner. The main factors causing infertility in women include ovulation disorders, fallopian tube factors, and abnormal endometrial receptivity. The primary factors causing infertility in men are abnormal spermatogenesis and ovulation disorders. Common etiological diagnoses generally include ovulation disorders, abnormal semen, fallopian tube abnormalities, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, and other immunological infertility. Additionally, cervical factors can also lead to infertility, such as cervical stenosis, which accounts for more than 5% of cervical factors.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
57sec home-news-image

Does taking contraceptive pills cause infertility?

Contraceptives are categorized into short-acting, long-acting, or emergency contraceptives. Commonly, long-acting contraceptives, such as those taken orally once a month, have significant side effects. Prolonged use can lead to menstrual irregularities, facial pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, and amenorrhea. Therefore, long-term use of long-acting contraceptives may result in decreased ovarian function, leading to infertility. Generally, emergency contraceptives and short-acting contraceptives have relatively minor side effects. Occasional use does not have a significant impact, but prolonged use can cause menstrual disorders and hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to infertility. Thus, contraceptives are not suitable for everyone, and it is not recommended for women who have never given birth to use oral contraceptives for contraception.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
1min 5sec home-news-image

Infertility is what it means.

I think it's important to first clarify the definition of infertility, which is defined as couples living together for over two years with regular sexual activity, not using contraception, and not conceiving. Those who have never conceived without contraception after marriage are defined as primary infertility, while those who have been pregnant before and then, without using contraception, have not conceived again for two years are defined as secondary infertility. According to the World Health Organization's manual on standard examinations and diagnoses for infertile couples, the clinical standard for infertility is defined as one year. However, currently, we think that individuals who have had regular sexual activity without contraception and have not conceived for over a year should be advised to visit a specialized hospital and consult the gynecology or traditional Chinese medicine departments to investigate the causes of infertility.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Shun Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
59sec home-news-image

Can menstrual irregularity lead to infertility?

Menstrual irregularity simply indicates that ovulation is abnormal, and it does not necessarily mean that there is no ovulation. If ovulation occurs, there is a possibility of pregnancy. Therefore, having irregular periods does not mean pregnancy is impossible, although the chances of conception may be lower. Normally, a woman ovulates once within a month, but if her periods are irregular, it is difficult to pinpoint when ovulation occurs. Generally, about 14 days after ovulation, a normal menstrual period should occur. If there is an extended absence of menstruation, it usually suggests that ovulation has not occurred. If there is a desire for childbirth, treatment to regulate menstruation and promote ovulation may be necessary, as it would be quite difficult to conceive otherwise.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
1min 26sec home-news-image

Precautions for Infertility Examination

Infertility examinations primarily involve tests for both men and women. For men, the examination includes a semen analysis which requires abstinence for 2-7 days. Semen should be collected through masturbation, using a specialized semen collection cup provided by the laboratory. Ordinary condoms should not be used for semen collection. After collection, the semen must be kept warm and promptly delivered back to the laboratory. For women, the examinations include several aspects. First, during the menstrual period, blood is drawn on an empty stomach between the 2nd and 4th days to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound is used to assess the baseline state of the ovaries. Second, between the 3rd and 7th days after the menstrual period ends, when sexual intercourse is prohibited, tests are conducted to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. These may include hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to evaluate the condition of the fallopian tubes. Third, monitoring ovulation with ultrasound begins from the 8th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle, tracking the development of follicles and the uterine lining until the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.