Cholesterol level plays a major role in the overall functioning of the human body. Maintaining an adequate range of cholesterol is important to regulate body functions, including fertility. It is proactively used by the body to produce sex hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and oestradiol in both the male and female body.
Increased or insufficient range of cholesterol levels influences reproductive functions, resulting in more difficulties in achieving pregnancy. This article explains how the cholesterol level is directly interrelated with male and female fertility.
Can High Cholesterol Cause Infertility?
Yes, increased cholesterol levels create various changes in the process of reproductive function, including both male and female fertility. They have a decreased chance of conception and require specialized treatment and care to reverse it.
How Does High Cholesterol Affect Fertility?
Each couple’s cholesterol level is measured in four different categories through their blood samples. Cholesterol profilo includes total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. In that, couples where either one or two parameters were high took longer to conceive compared to people with a normal range.
The cholesterol level of both couples matters more when it comes to pregnancy. If it is just above the normal range, you can easily reduce it using simple lifestyle changes. However, the severe level requires medication and treatment to prevent losing your fertility.
Effects of High Cholesterol on Female Fertility
Undoubtedly, a high cholesterol level influences female fertility in different aspects. Here’s a breakdown of a few significant causes:
Impact on Ovulation and Hormonal Imbalance
Cholesterol restricts the production of estrogen and progesterone, the key hormones involved in the process of menstrual cycle and ovulation. It gradually leads to irregular periods, difficulties in ovulation, and finally, affects your fertility. High cholesterol levels weaken your egg and make the process of fertilization harder.
Influence on Egg Quality and Reproductive Health
High cholesterol levels create various hormonal imbalances in the body, leading to poor egg quality, irregular ovulation, and reduced chances of fertilization. It may often cause PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), and some other significant factors. Overall, your egg quality will be damaged and increase the risk of fertility.
Effects of High Cholesterol on Male Fertility
High cholesterol is also dangerous to male fertility, causing reduced sperm quality, decreased libido, and hormonal imbalances. All of which restricts the ability to conceive.
Impact on Sperm Quality and Motility
Both sperm quality and motility are important for successful fertilization. High cholesterol levels in a male body can severely reduce sperm count, create abnormalities in their shape and structure, and affect their ability to swim. It reduces the chances of reaching an egg during fertilization, leading to infertility.
Role in Hormone Production and Testosterone Levels
A balanced cholesterol level is essential for males to regulate hormone production like testosterone. An increased range of cholesterol can disturb the hormone balancing, which leads to decreased testosterone production. Similarly, low cholesterol levels can significantly influence erectile function, libido, and sperm production.
How Does Low Cholesterol Affect Fertility?
Low cholesterol levels cause serious impacts on both male and female fertility, similar to high cholesterol levels. Let’s see how it impacts the reproductive function of men and women:
Risk of Low Cholesterol on Female Fertility
As mentioned earlier, cholesterol is a fundamental building block in maintaining hormones like progesterone and estrogen. The range lower than normal can disrupt the production of these hormones, leading to irregular periods and difficulties in ovulation. In simple terms, it greatly affects hormonal balance, egg quality, and endometrial health.
Risk of Low Cholesterol on Male Fertility
Testosterone is a crucial hormone in male sexual function and sperm production. Lower cholesterol levels can significantly impact libido, testosterone production, sperm quality, and erectile function. Most importantly, the hormonal imbalances in the male body create sexual dysfunction, which can impact fertility.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Adopting a healthy lifestyle reverses your cholesterol level and increases the chances of pregnancy. Let’s discuss them in detail:
A Healthy Diet: It is recommended to intake rich in vegetables, whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids, legumes, and lean meats. Ensure that your body consumes sufficient vitamins and nutrients with reduced fat content. It is also important to avoid processed and packaged foods with an increased level of salt and sugar.
Regular Physical Activity: Engage yourself in physical activities like walking, exercising, taking the stairs, or joking. It helps reduce calories and makes you feel fresh and relaxed. When it continues, you can see visible changes in your body and weight.
Consult your Doctor: Beyond lifestyle, consult your doctor to monitor your cholesterol levels and overall health. When the cholesterol level is very high, you need additional medication support to regulate them.
Testing and Monitoring Cholesterol Levels When Trying to Conceive
When you are planning to conceive, it is essential to consult your doctor to ensure your cholesterol levels. Both the high and low cholesterol ranges can cause fertility issues in both men and women, leading to difficulty in conceiving.
High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) in women’s health can cause significant hormonal changes, which makes it harder to get pregnant.
When it comes to men, the high cholesterol level greatly affects the semen quality, resulting in lower sperm production and quality.
In a Word
Cholesterol is required to regulate hormonal balances in the male and female body. Its abnormal range causes serious troubles, including fertility issues. Hope so, You can have an idea about how it influences fertility health. If you are trying to conceive, consult your doctor to ensure you and your partner’s cholesterol level.
FAQs
Yes, there are possibilities that an increased cholesterol level can cause infertility in both men and women. It negatively influences the blood flow, which leads to poor semen quality, egg quality, hormonal imbalances, and increased blood pressure.
Yes, lowering your cholesterol level improves fertility in both males and females. Generally, the body utilizes cholesterol to regulate the sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen. When it goes abnormal, you will encounter hormonal imbalances which makes your situation difficult to conceive.
Healthy cholesterol levels can vary for males and females. Plus, they are segregated into four different categories, and their common levels are described below:
- Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
- Non-HDL: less than 130 mg/dL
- HDL: greater than or equal to 60 mg/dL
- LDL: less than 100 mg/dL
Yes, the cholesterol medications during pregnancy are completely safe. It doesn’t get absorbed into the placenta or bloodstream, so it causes no impacts or side effects during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Yes, lifestyle changes significantly help couples to reduce their cholesterol levels. In addition to that, it improves fertility in both men and women. All you need to do is follow healthy habits like diet, exercise, weight loss, and avoid consuming alcohol.
