New Study Uncovers Lifestyle Maintenance Tips for Those Struggling with Infertility

Monash University researchers have delved into the challenges faced by individuals experiencing infertility when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Through their study, they have identified key barriers and proposed practical solutions to help improve overall health outcomes for this population.

The researchers discovered that individuals dealing with infertility often struggle with a lack of knowledge and opportunities related to evidence-based diet and exercise strategies. Additionally, they found that support and resources to enhance self-management skills were lacking, as well as the mental health burden associated with living with infertility.

Infertility, defined as the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse, affects millions of individuals worldwide. This study, published in Human Reproduction Update, is the first of its kind to shed light on the unique challenges faced by people with infertility in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Associate Professor Lisa Moran, one of the joint senior authors of the study, emphasized the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to feel empowered in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle. She highlighted the impact of fertility treatments on exacerbating these challenges and stressed the significance of self-management skills in boosting confidence and achieving successful lifestyle changes.

Dr. Steph Cowan, another joint senior author, suggested practical solutions to enhance opportunities for lifestyle improvement, such as involving the support of a partner, offering resources at little to no cost, and utilizing telehealth services. By addressing logistical challenges and providing evidence-based information in an easily understandable format, individuals can make informed decisions about their health without compromising time or money.

The study also highlighted the profound mental health impacts of infertility, which can make it difficult for individuals to make even small changes in their lifestyle behaviors. First author and PhD candidate, Sophia Torkel, emphasized the importance of reframing a healthy lifestyle as a self-care strategy to drive behavior change and improve mental well-being.

The findings from this research will be integrated into the development of a new Ask Fertility App, aimed at providing individuals with infertility access to high-quality information from leading experts. The app will include self-care, self-management, and shared decision-making tools to support individuals on their fertility journey.

Associate Professor Moran expressed hope that these findings, along with recommendations from international guidelines, will contribute to improving the health and ultimately the fertility outcomes of individuals experiencing infertility. The Ask Fertility App is set to launch later this year, joining the suite of Ask Apps that have already made a positive impact on thousands of users worldwide.

Overall, this research underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals with infertility in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and provides practical solutions to enhance their overall well-being. By empowering individuals with the necessary skills and resources, researchers aim to improve health outcomes and contribute to better fertility outcomes in the long run.