Researchers at the University of Southampton reached these conclusions after surveying over 100,000 adult women. Dr. Lyndon Stock, the pediatrician leading the study, presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology conference that compared to those working standard 9-to-5 shifts, women exclusively on night shifts faced an 80% higher difficulty conceiving. Those rotating day and night shifts doubled their chances of failing to conceive within a year.
Researchers found that all work patterns except regular daytime shifts increased the likelihood of menstrual cycle irregularities by 20% and raised the risk of miscarriage by approximately one-third after conception.
Fertility in this study refers to natural conception, not in vitro fertilization.
Increasing work pressure and accelerated lifestyles are driving more people into night shifts. Women seeking pregnancy should prioritize daytime work schedules. Additionally, avoid habits that harm fertility.
6 Bad Habits That Cause Infertility
1. Excessive obesity hinders conception
Obesity disrupts female endocrine function, impedes ovulation, and triggers various health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. These conditions may cause female infertility and lead to complications during pregnancy. Women with morbid obesity also experience lower success rates in fertility treatments.
2. Extreme dieting can also cause infertility
Drastic weight loss may disrupt endocrine function, irregular menstrual cycles, and halt ovulation. Severe nutritional imbalances and micronutrient deficiencies from extreme dieting further impair fertility. Women over 30, whose fertility naturally declines, should be especially cautious about extreme weight loss.
3. Abortion is the second leading cause of female infertility
Medical studies show a direct correlation between the number of abortions and the risk of infertility. Repeated abortions increase susceptibility to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), where inflammation can block fallopian tubes, leading to infertility.Highly active endometrial fragments during abortion can easily implant in the pelvic cavity, forming endometriosis that causes infertility. Furthermore, repeated abortions thin the endometrial lining. Should pregnancy occur later, the embryo may struggle to thrive—like a seedling in sandy soil—receiving insufficient nutrients and becoming prone to developmental issues or spontaneous miscarriage.
4. Reproductive Organ Inflammation Affects Fertility
Vaginitis alters vaginal pH and increases white blood cell count, impairing sperm viability and motility. Cervical inflammation alters the local environment, hindering sperm passage through the cervical canal and causing infertility.If pelvic infections—especially tuberculosis or gonococcal infections—are not treated promptly or thoroughly, even after recovery, they can cause tubal adhesions, twists, or narrowing, leading to infertility or ectopic pregnancy.
5. Poor Sexual Practices Harm Fertility
Some young women engage in unhygienic or promiscuous sexual activity, contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that often remain in a latent phase without immediate apparent effects. However, these infections can silently trigger pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to infertility.Engaging in intercourse during menstruation allows bacteria and blood to enter the pelvic cavity through the relaxed cervical opening, triggering infections. More critically, if retrograde menstrual blood remains trapped in the pelvis, it can cause endometriosis. Both conditions are devastating threats to fertility.
6. Alcohol and Coffee Impair Fertility
Regular alcohol consumption, especially heavy drinking, significantly reduces fertility in women. Alcohol interferes with nutrient absorption; even one glass of red wine can lower zinc levels, a fundamental factor for fertility. Drinking just two cups of coffee daily can reduce fertility by 50%.Cola beverages have a similar effect due to their high caffeine content.
So what should you eat to get pregnant?
1. Black beans
Boost estrogen levels: Soak black beans in water for about 12 hours, then boil until tender. Add a pinch of salt if desired. Starting from the first day after your period ends, eat 47 beans daily for 6 consecutive days.For those with deficiency like me, doctors recommend daily consumption—a handful (about 40-50 beans). After consistent use, I noticed significant improvement in lower back pain and better body temperature regulation.Daily, scoop one tablespoon into your regular drinking cup (it's quite hard and a bit tricky to scoop), add hot water, and drink. If you're at the office, you can drink it throughout the day and feel a pleasant warmth throughout your body. 3. Brown Sugar Ginger Water Benefits Warm the uterus. For those with uterine coldness, use 250g brown sugar, 150g ginger, and water.finely chop the ginger, steam over water for 30 minutes, divide into 7 portions, and consume consecutively for 7 days starting the day after menstruation ends. Best taken on an empty stomach in the morning.
4. Soy Milk
Women drinking 300-500ml of soy milk daily for one month can regulate endocrine function, significantly improving mental state and physical condition.