The Relationship Between Modern Lifestyles and Infertility in Adult Women
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/eggrk672Keywords:
endocrine disruptors, fertility, lifestyle, reproductive health, womenAbstract
Infertility among adult women has increased significantly in parallel with modern lifestyle changes characterized by chronic stress, unhealthy dietary patterns, sedentary behavior, circadian disruption, exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, and elevated air pollution levels. This article examines the relationship between modern lifestyle factors and female infertility through a Systematic Literature Review conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. From 538 initial records, 43 studies met inclusion criteria and were thematically synthesized. Findings indicate that chronic stress disrupts the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis, high sugar and high fat diets impair ovulation, sedentary behavior increases oxidative stress, and circadian misalignment from shift work reduces melatonin and contributes to menstrual irregularities. Exposure to chemicals such as BPA and phthalates lowers ovarian reserve, while air pollution elevates risks of infertility and miscarriage. The study highlights the need for integrative public health strategies, including lifestyle education, environmental regulation, workplace health reforms, and expanded access to fertility care
Downloads
References
Abareshi, F., Sharifi, Z., Hekmatshoar, R., Fallahi, M., Najafi, M. L., Asour, A. A., ... & Dadvand, P. (2020). Association of exposure to air pollution and green space with ovarian reserve hormones levels. Environmental Research, 184, 109342.
ASRM Practice Committee. (2020). The impact of lifestyle factors on fertility. Fertility and Sterility, 113(4), 645–653.
Biryukova, D. A., Amyan, T. S., Gavisova, A. A., Durinyan, E. R., Gardanova, Z. R., Nikolayeva, M. A., & Krasnova, N. A. (2023). The effect of stress on the female reproductive system: pathophysiology and neuroendocrine interactions. Obstetrics and Gynecology, (11), 36-42.
ESHRE (European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology). (2020). Reproductive health impacts of lifestyle factors. ESHRE Clinical Guidelines.
IFFS (International Federation of Fertility Societies). (2021). Global Trends in Reproductive Health and Fertility Decline. IFFS Surveillance Report.
Kaneda, C., Kanejima, Y., Kitamura, M., & Izawa, K. P. (2020). Physical Activity and Body Mass Index in Relation to Infertility in Women. Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials, 15(3), 199-204.
Katapally, T. R., Rainham, D., & Muhajarine, N. (2016). The influence of weather variation, urban design and built environment on objectively measured sedentary behaviour in children. AIMS Public Health, 3(4), 663.
Li, L., Liu, J. C., Lai, F. N., Liu, H. Q., Zhang, X. F., Dyce, P. W., ... & Chen, H. (2016). Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exposure impairs growth of antral follicle in mice. PLoS One, 11(2), e0148350.
Piazza, M. J., & Urbanetz, A. A. (2019). Environmental toxins and the impact of other endocrine disrupting chemicals in women's reproductive health. JBRA assisted reproduction, 23(2), 154.
Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2022). Optimizing natural fertility: a committee opinion. Fertility and Sterility, 117(1), 53-63.
Sciarra, F., Franceschini, E., Campolo, F., Gianfrilli, D., Pallotti, F., Paoli, D., ... & Venneri, M. A. (2020). Disruption of circadian rhythms: a crucial factor in the etiology of infertility. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(11), 3943.
Sen, A., & Sellix, M. T. (2016). The circadian timing system and environmental circadian disruption: from follicles to fertility. Endocrinology, 157(9), 3366-3373.
Shaji, P., Singh, M., & Sahu, B. Effectiveness of Lifestyle Modification on Reproductive Health among Young Women: An Integrative Review.
Skowrońska, M., Pawłowski, M., & Milewski, R. (2023). A literature review and a proposed classification of the relationships between ovulatory infertility and lifestyle factors based on the three groups of ovulation disorders classified by WHO. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(19), 6275.
van Dammen, L., Wekker, V., de Rooij, S. R., Mol, B. W. J., Groen, H., Hoek, A., & Roseboom, T. J. (2019). The effects of a pre-conception lifestyle intervention in women with obesity and infertility on perceived stress, mood symptoms, sleep and quality of life. PloS one, 14(2), e0212914.
Wang, Y., Gu, F., Deng, M., Guo, L., Lu, C., Zhou, C., ... & Xu, Y. (2016). Rotating shift work and menstrual characteristics in a cohort of Chinese nurses. BMC women's health, 16(1), 24.
WHO. (2021). Infertility: Key facts. World Health Organization.
WHO. (2021). Obesity and overweight fact sheet. World Health Organization.
Wu, J., Laurent, O., Li, L., Hu, J., & Kleeman, M. (2016). Adverse reproductive health outcomes and exposure to gaseous and particulate-matter air pollution in pregnant women. Research Reports: Health Effects Institute, 2016, 188.
Zabak, S., Varma, A., Bansod, S., Pohane, M. R., & Varma Sr, A. (2023). Exploring the complex landscape of delayed childbearing: factors, history, and long-term implications. Cureus, 15(9).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Inaiyah Pratiwi M. Nur (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
