Impact of lifestyle choices on female infertility

OBJECTIVE: To inform physicians who are involved in the primary care of rep roductive-age women of the specific relationships between lifestyle choices anti infertility so that they can use this knowledge to educate their pati ents and encourage changes in behavior. STUDY DESIGN: A review of the relevant literature, performed via Medline se arch. RESULTS: Prevention of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections; maintenance of the proper body weight; increased individual awareness about the effects o f age on fecundity; and reduced intake of caffeine, tobacco and alcohol are all possible avenues for primary prevention of infertility. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle choices cart be made that influence the reproductive capability of women. It may be worthwhile for primary care physicians to us e information on lifestyle to encourage their patients to improve their ove rall health while positively affecting their ability to reproduce.