Fertility and National Fitness Day: The Connection Between Physical Health and Family Planning

Published: 22/09/2023

Looking into the benefits of fitness on fertility.

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Fertility, the ability to conceive and bear children, is influenced by numerous factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle choices. Among these, one's physical health and fitness level play a pivotal role.

Exercise is an important part of staying healthy in every stage of life including conception and pregnancy. Exercise can affect fertility because it can impact multiple female hormones. This includes oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and hormones like cortisol and insulin.  These hormones when imbalanced can influence ovulation, The release of an egg. 

Fertility and Physical Health

Fertility is influenced by numerous factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle choices. Among these, one's physical health and fitness level play a pivotal role. Here's how:

  1. Hormonal Balance: Regular physical activity helps maintain hormonal balance, which is crucial for both male and female fertility. Exercise can reduce the risk of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women and improve sperm quality in men.
  2. Weight Management: Obesity and being underweight can adversely affect fertility. Engaging in regular exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, reducing the risk of infertility associated with extreme weight fluctuations.
  3. Stress Reduction: Physical activity is a natural stress reliever. High-stress levels can interfere with fertility by disrupting hormonal patterns. Exercise helps reduce stress and promotes emotional well-being.
  4. Blood Flow and Circulation: Good cardiovascular health ensures adequate blood flow to reproductive organs. Exercise enhances circulation, ensuring that these organs receive the necessary nutrients and oxygen.
  5. Improved Sleep: Regular exercise is linked to better sleep quality. Proper sleep is essential for overall health and can indirectly impact fertility by regulating hormones and reducing stress.

Not only can exercise aid in losing excess weight but regular exercise (30 mins daily) can help balance hormones, improve insulin, and reduce stress all of which can help boost infertility. 

The general rule when it comes to exercise is to stick with exercises that energise you as opposed to exhausting you. Regular exercise benefits your overall mental, physical, and emotional health. Combined with eating well, exercise is one of the pillars of living a healthy balanced life.

What are the recommendations for exercise?

30 mins of moderate-intensity exercise on all days of the week, such as:

  • Brisk walking
  • Gardening 
  • Dancing

If possible, some vigorous-intensity exercises to be performed weekly, such as:

  • Running 
  • Fast cycling 
  • Swimming 

Finding time for exercise can sometimes be difficult. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine can help in achieving the daily recommendation. 

  • Walking and cycling instead of driving 
  • Taking the stairs instead of the lift

Key points to remember

  • Any physical activity is better than none.
  • Aim for at least 30 mins of physical activity a day. 
  • Use everyday opportunities to increase physical activity. 
  • Minimise the amount of time you spend sitting.

myTamarin Support

If you have questions about your fertility, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider or fertility specialist who can provide personalised guidance based on your unique circumstances. myTamarin experts are here to support you through your fertility journey - If you have access through your employer we recommend you book a 1-1 consultation to help you navigate and understand your fertility.

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