ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS THAT HINDERS HUMAN FERTILITY

                                                                       

  SMOKING

In terms of fertility, in women smoking can induce early menopause and menstrual problems, in men it can cause abnormalities in sperm morphology and motility. During fertility, there is an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, low birth weight and perinatal mortality because of antepartum haemorrhage and placental abruption. New evidence also shows that women who smoke are infertile and if by chance they are fertile during pregnancy pass harmful carcinogens to their baby.

     Nutritional status tends to be compromised in smokers, characterized by higher intake of energy, total fats, saturated fat, cholesterol and alcohol and lower intakes of most micronutrients and antioxidant vitamins.

     More children and matured adults give themselves to smoking, the dominance of such aged groups has increased in England from 8% in 1988 to 26% in 2015. Over this period the proportion of  matured young girls that smoke often has increased  drastically from  one in five to one in three.

     The addictive nature of smoking makes it very difficult for woman to stop even when she knows it may affect her fertility and may harm her baby.

     ALCOHOL

Alcohol when drunk occasionally or in moderation is a very acceptable social activity, but when consumed in large quantities it can become problematics, reduce appetite and affect nutritional status. High alcohol intakes in women have been associated with menstrual disorders and decreased fertility, even among women who had five or fewer drinks a week.

     Alcohol is a tetratogen and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is used to describe the congenital malformations associated with excessive maternal alcohol intake during fertility. Although there is general agreement that women should not drink when in search of fertility or child and not drink excessively during pregnancy there is no consensus opinion as to what is safe amount.

     WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES

     Human are exposed to many environmental agents that may be hazardous to their reproductive capacity and much of this exposure may occur in the workplace. Exposure to solvents ionizing radiation and anaesthetics gases is known to be toxic and associated with central nervous system defects, microcephaly and an increased risk of infertility and if conceived there is likelihood of miscarriage.

     There has been concern about working with visual display units (VDUs) during pregnancy and there are reports of the risks of miscarriages and child defects. However, to date the scientific studies that have been carried out and taken as a whole do not show any link.