Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Good fertility health

4-minute read

Your age and your health can affect your chances of falling pregnant. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help you improve your fertility.

Age and fertility

When it comes to fertility, age matters. Many people today wait until they're older to have children. But fertility declines over time, and you should consider this if you plan to have children later. Both women and men are most fertile in their early twenties.

In women, fertility declines more quickly with age. This decline becomes rapid after the age of 35. There are a number of reasons, but particularly the decline in the quality of the eggs released by the ovaries. Around 1 in 3 of couples in which the woman is over the age of 35 have fertility problems. This rises to 2 in 3 when the woman is over 40.

Women over 35 are also less likely to become pregnant as a result of fertility treatments, including IVF, and are more likely to have a miscarriage if they do become pregnant. Men's fertility gradually declines from around the age of 40, but most men are able to father children into their 50s and beyond.

 

Smoking and female fertility

Smoking can cause problems for virtually all aspects of the reproductive system. Women who smoke are more likely to have difficulty conceiving, may not respond as well to treatment for infertility, experience earlier menopause and have an increased risk of cervical and vulval cancer. Smoking is associated with an increased risk of infertility, for both women attempting to become pregnant for the first time and women who have previously been pregnant.

Women who smoke also have a poorer response to in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Smokers will also have an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a variety of health problems in the baby including premature birth, low birthweight, cot death (also known as sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS) and breathing problems in the first 6 months of life.

 

Smoking and male fertility

Research has shown that male smokers have lower sperm quality and count than non-smokers. Smoking can also lead to male erectile dysfunction. Two of the main chemicals in cigarettes are nicotine and carbon monoxide, which narrow the arteries and reduce the blood flow through the body, affecting the blood flow to the penis. 

By quitting smoking you reduce the risk of impotence and improve your sperm quality, and are less likely to have delays in falling pregnant or experience infertility.

 

To get help to stop smoking, call the Quit Hotline on 13 7848.

 

Avoid STIs

Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can damage a woman's fallopian tubes, which may make it more difficult to become pregnant. If you think you might have contracted an STI, go to your doctor or a sexual health clinic. 

 

Be a healthy weight

Being underweight or overweight can lower your chances of conceiving. One cause of infertility is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is made worse by being overweight or obese.

Alcohol

The government advises that for women planning a pregnancy, not drinking alcohol is the safest option. This is because no studies have found a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and many women don’t know exactly when they become pregnant.

Men who exceed 3 to 4 units of alcohol a day may damage their sperm.

 

Keep your testicles cool

A man's testicles should be one or two degrees cooler than the rest of their body. Tight underwear, hot showers and hot baths can all raise the temperature of the testicles.

 

Avoid radiation and dangerous chemicals

Exposure to radiation and chemicals such as glycol solvents, found in some paints, can damage fertility.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: September 2019


Back To Top

Need more information?

Preconception health for men

Men's health affect their fertility. Learn how you can improve your fertility and increase the chances of you and your partner falling pregnant.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Fertility

Read this article to learn more about what you can do if you are planning to have a baby.

Read more on Rahma Health website

Fertility and cancer

Cancer and cancer treatments can affect your fertility. Before starting treatment, you should discuss fertility preservation options with your doctor.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Preserving fertility

Now many not be the right time for you to have a baby. Fertility preservation is available to keep your options open for a pregnancy in the future.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Understanding fertility

Learn how to improve your fertility and what you and your partner can do to improve your chances of falling pregnant.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Preconception health for women

Find out what you can do to improve your fertility and increase your chances of falling pregnant and having a healthy baby.

Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website

Reproductive health | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Good reproductive health supports individuals and couples to decide whether and when to have children. It can be affected by diseases, access to contraception and fertility issues. Find out what we’re doing to improve reproductive health in Australia.

Read more on Department of Health and Aged Care website

Sexual and Reproductive Health | Women's Health Victoria

Read more on Women's Health Victoria website

Pre-conception checklists for men and women | Your Fertility

Planning to have a baby? Your first step is to make an appointment to see your doctor (with your partner if you have one) for a pre-conception health check

Read more on Your Fertility website

Rural + Regional | 1800 My Options

If you live in rural and regional Victoria, it can sometimes be hard to access sexual and reproductive health care.  

Read more on 1800 My Options website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.