We’re seeing heatwaves around the world this summer with holidaymakers in places like Greece struggling with temperatures close to 40 degrees.
The one good thing about these sweltering temperatures is that the sunshine does give us a huge Vitamin D boost, but research has shown a connection between infertility and TTC from hot weather exposure.
Here’s a quick-start guide to heatwaves, fertility and keeping your TTC plan on track.
The main areas you need to be aware of are::
- Recent research on heatwaves and fertility
- Keeping cool, and why
- Vitamin D exposure
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding heat exhaustion
- Keeping next of kin on speed-dial
The science behind heatwaves and fertility
We all know the studies on heat, and its impact on sperm health. Men have been encouraged for years now to avoid tight underwear, laptops on the crotch area and over-use of hot tubs.
But heat waves are different. They’re unavoidable in many cases, and something we’re more passively exposed to. We can choose to wear looser underwear and skip the hot tub on vacation. But we can’t avoid a heatwave quite so easily. Research shows that heatwaves ‘reduce male fertility and sperm competitiveness’. More specifically, it seems that this kind of dynamic heat shift can undermine sperm production, viability, and the way it travels through a woman.
Here are our top tips for fertility in a heatwave:
1. Keep cool, where possible
Aside from the science we’ve covered above, hot temperatures can cause stress and discomfort you just don’t need. Whether you’re trying to conceive naturally, undergoing fertility treatments, in the two week wait, or the very early stages of pregnancy, keeping cool and calm is vitally important.
Avoid overdoing it (from exercise to your general routine), carry a cold drink, wear loose-fitting clothes, opt for air-conditioned or naturally cool spaces and plan your day around the heat.
2. Be smart with Vitamin D
The best-known way to boost our levels is through sunlight exposure and, depending on where you live, this tactic will vary. Spending just 20 minutes a day in the sun, with skin exposed for maximum benefit, can help you stay topped up, but consider supplementing with a quality Vitamin D spray or capsule upping your Vitamin D-rich foods, too. These include oily fish, eggs and a few varieties of mushrooms, like morels.
3. Stay hydrated
This is so important for whole-body health, especially when having blood tests done. If you’ve ever felt it was difficult for the nurses to find your veins, then it could be as simple as dehydration, the more you drink the easier it should be to give blood.
Check the colour of your pee too. It should be straw-coloured or clear, not cloudy and definitely not dark.
Alcohol and caffeine can increase dehydration, so be mindful with what you’re drinking, and if you leave the house, carry a bottle of water.
Adding a few natural electrolytes to your drink (a sprinkle of sea salt, squeeze of lemon or some cucumber will do the trick), or opting for coconut water can help to level up what you’ve lost in the heat, through increased sweating, or general dehydration.
4. Avoid heat exhaustion
Heat stroke and exhaustion are no joke, especially in early pregnancy or the two week wait.
But heat exhaustion does tend to come with a few other symptoms less-associated with pregnancy, including confusion, cramps in arms and legs, and a temperature above 100.4F or 38 degrees C. Thirst levels will also be much more intense.
Avoid heat exhaustion at all costs, by actioning the tips we’ve covered above. And if it does happen, the priority will be to cool and lie down with your feet up, drinking frequent small sips of water to rehydrate without shocking your body.
5. Keep your next of kin on speed-dial
We recommend letting someone know if you’re about to start a tricky commute, so they can check that you’ve arrived safely. The same goes for appointments like blood tests or fertility treatments – if you’re going alone, make sure your next of kin are prepped to check in.
