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The Link Between Sleep and Fertility

It has been estimated by the National Sleep Foundation that over 65 percent of us are not getting the required amount of sleep each day. If that doesn’t shock you then how about the fact that many of us are suffering with sleep disorders that have gone undiagnosed and are affecting our general health, lifestyle, and even fertility!

Understanding the Link

The role of sleep is primarily to help repair and rejuvenate the body and its systems such as the reproductive system and the brain. If we do not get enough sleep for any extended period of time our mood, hormone balance, and our immune system will suffer. This not only wreaks havoc on our day-to-day lives and activities but it also interferes with our fertility. Sleep loss has also been associated with irregular menstrual cycles which can obviously affect your chances of getting pregnant.

It has also been shown that gaining weight is directly linked to infertility. Studies have shown that lack of sleep is associated with weight gain and the body resisting insulin. Too much insulin is seen as a key factor in infertility because of all of the things that it can do to your body including increasing your risk of Type2 diabetes.

Something that you surely know is that when you don’t get you optimum hours of sleep you’re likely to end up suffering from stress. Stress has been directly linked to problems such as memory lapses, coordination problems, and yes, infertility. A lack of sleep can also lead to depression and a depressed person is not likely to be functioning at an optimal level in any area of their life which also leads to not taking proper care of their bodies.

Improving Your Sleep

The role of sleep in our lives is far too important for us not to get enough of it no matter how busy. It has been suggested that we need at least seven hours of sleep each day to help us stay healthy and have the energy to get through the day. To get the amounts of sleep you need when trying to conceive it’s advised that you stay away from overnight work as this is related to menstrual irregularities and pregnancy risks. Doing shift work when you’re trying to conceive is also not advised if it can be avoided. If you have to work on a shift then you need to ensure that you get enough rest when you are not at work and resist the urge to fill your free time with errands and chores as opposed to relaxation. To foster good sleep and increase your chance of being fertile, try to keep your sleep times consistent. The same goes for when you’re awake. Prior to going to bed, try to avoid doing anything like watching action television and eating spicy foods. These kinds of activities tend to cause your mind to race and not be in a relaxed mode, preventing you from getting a good night's sleep.

A Warning

There are some popular supplements currently used for sleeping problems that are considered to be ‘all natural and safe’. These can be helpful in getting sleep when you’re having trouble with restlessness or insomnia, but when you’re trying to conceive they should be avoided as they, just like prescription sleeping pills, can have side effects.