April 2025 Health Month: How Your Health Affects Your Fertility
In this article, we share some insights from Dr Tony Rodrigues from Medfem Fertility Clinic regarding the general health issues that are known to have an adverse effect on fertility and also provide some advice for addressing these issues.
Dr Antonio (Tony) Rodrigues, reproductive medicine specialist and founder and director of Medfem Fertility Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, shared invaluable insights about lifestyle and health factors that significantly impact fertility in both men and women during a recent webinar.
Several lifestyle factors play an important role, and according to Dr Rodrigues, the most important one the Medfem team has researched over the last 21 years is stress, while high insulin levels are also a major area of focus.
Other lifestyle issues known to impact fertility include poor diet and nutritional deficiencies, as well as lifestyle choices such as smoking, and the use of alcohol and recreational drugs.
We take a closer look at these issues below and find out that lifestyle management can not only improve your chances of falling pregnant but also shortens the time to pregnancy.
Stress and fertility
With over two decades of experience and research, Dr Rodrigues and his team have identified a key contributor to infertility that often goes unnoticed: stress – particularly the type of stress known as Time Urgency Perfectionism Stress (TUPS).
TUPS is a condition in which individuals constantly feel pressed for time and strive for perfection in everything. This type of stress alters hormone levels, suppresses the immune system, and can create a range of symptoms including fatigue, muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues, depression and even infertility.
Dr Rodrigues emphasises that effective stress management can lower depression rates and improve overall health outcomes. In terms of fertility, managing this stress correctly not only significantly improves a couple’s chances of falling pregnant but is also vital for a healthier pregnancy and baby.
Insulin and fertility
Another major area of focus at Medfem Fertility Clinic is insulin levels. Dr Rodrigues highlights that “it’s not just a weight thing – it’s about insulin control”.
This is because high insulin – even in individuals who are not overweight – can negatively affect egg quality and embryo development. In addition, high insulin levels cause symptoms such as fatigue; sugar cravings; high cholesterol; unexplained weight gain; and hypertension or heart problems; as well as fertility problems in men and women.
Through tailored diets or medications like Metformin, insulin levels can be brought under control, greatly improving fertility prospects. There are also natural alternatives such as inositol, which may help reduce insulin.
Diet and fertility
The right diet can prevent spikes in insulin through low glycaemic index (GI) diets, and the Banting or low-carb diet has also shown excellent results.
This is because proper nutrition supports mitochondrial function, which is crucial in egg development.
A healthy diet can also contribute significantly to managing the symptoms of conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, both of which are common causes of infertility in women.
At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we recommend a balanced eating plan incorporating nutrient-rich, organic foods and nutritional supplementation when necessary. Vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and growth factors all support healthy egg division and embryo development.
Lifestyle choices and fertility
The effect of smoking on fertility has been studied extensively both in males and females. There is no doubt that if you smoke, your pregnancy rate – natural or with fertility treatment – is going to be lower, whether you are male or female.
The same is true of drinking alcohol excessively and using recreational drugs. Even if you don’t drink much or make lighter alcohol choices such as wine, alcohol is still very high in carbohydrates, contributing to weight problems, high insulin and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes.
What about coffee? Large studies show that consuming more than 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day may reduce fertility. However, the real concern is when caffeine replaces proper nutrition. Dr Rodrigues advises limiting caffeine to 1–2 cups a day, especially when trying to conceive or during pregnancy, as caffeine crosses the placenta and may affect the baby.
It is very important that fertility patients to focus on all these lifestyle factors to optimise their fertility.
The Role of the Male Partner
It’s essential to remember that fertility is a shared journey. “We mustn’t neglect the male partner,” says Dr Rodrigues. “The male partner also needs to be fit and healthy to produce healthy sperm to create a healthy embryo.”
Even when the male partner has a normal semen analysis, issues such as high insulin, thyroid disorders or elevated prolactin can negatively affect embryo quality.
Comprehensive testing of both partners is vital to ensure the best chance of creating a healthy embryo.
Fertility isn’t just about reproductive organs—it’s about the whole person. Managing stress, balancing insulin, avoiding harmful substances, and nourishing your body all play a vital role. At Medfem Fertility Clinic, we also focus on these health factors to provide a holistic, personalised fertility journey for every couple.
We are a committed and understanding team of medical professionals, who have the experience, knowledge and desire to provide you with the best chance of a successful outcome at the end of your fertility treatment.
Since the 1980’s, Medfem Fertility Clinic’s team has assisted couples struggling with infertility to experience the joy of parenthood, helping to bring more than 18,000 babies into the world.
If you would like to meet one of our fertility specialists, simply click here to book an initial consultation or contact us telephonically on +27 (11) 463 2244.
Our Fertility Specialists can also meet with you during a virtual consultation via Zoom or Skype. Click here to book a virtual consultation now.
We look forward to meeting you!