We worry about our heart health, bone health and skin health but do we worry enough about our fertility health?
Southside City Fertility Centre specialist Dr Rolf Weissenberger said for those who were lucky enough, having a baby was one of the most significant things that could happen in life, but most took it for granted that it would happen easily, when they were ready.
“The fact is that one in six couples have trouble falling pregnant,” Weissenberger said.
“Fertility issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including increasing maternal age, lifestyle, environmental factors and medical conditions, among others.
“Age is one of the top reasons people have trouble conceiving. Fertility declines as age increases. Women are most fertile in their 20s, but due to a change in lifestyle, many people are delaying having children until after this age.”
Official figures show the average maternal age in Australia has now reached 30.
Dr Weissenberger said that while the age clock could not be wound back, people could take other steps to optimise their fertility, including simple things such as managing their weight, exercising and following a healthy diet.
In addition, he said, many common medical issues that impacted on fertility were mostly treatable, including endometriosis, ovulation disorders and tubal blockages.
City Fertility Centre, which has clinics across Brisbane, including on the southside at Capalaba and Sunnybank, will set up an information booth at Westfield Carindale from Monday, September 17, to Sunday, September 23, to answer any of your fertility-related questions.
The information stand will be manned by nurses and other staff from the fertility centre, and visitors can have a free fertility health check in the form of a quiz if they would like.
Free Introduction to Fertility Treatment information brochures will also be available, covering topics including “What is Infertility?”, “Optimising Your Chances” and “Possible Treatments”.
The information booth will be near Goldmark Jewellers from 9am to 5pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 9pm Thursday and 10am to 5pm on Sunday.
For more details, contact City Fertility Centre on www.cityfertility.com.au.
Fertility Fit Tips:
- Follow a healthy, balanced diet that provides adequate protein, carbohydrate and fibre.
- Aim to undertake moderate exercise for an average of 30 minutes three times a week.
- Take folic acid for the three months before and the first three months of pregnancy (females only).
- Restrict alcohol intake.
- Stop smoking and any drug use.
- Check your medications/supplements intake with your doctor.
- Limit caffeine consumption.
