Association between Lifestyle Factors and Hormonal Profile Among Primary Infertile Females
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Objective: Stress, exercise, smoking, and diet all have an impact on a woman's ability to become pregnant. Women who follow a healthy diet are more likely to have a successful conception.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study using non-probability sampling was conducted in which 300 primary infertile women (12–18 months of marriage) were interviewed at the Gynecology and Obstetric Hospital in Ramadi Province, Iraq, from August to September 2023, to evaluate the association between lifestyle factors and hormonal profile among primary infertile females. Hormonal assessment was done during the (4) and (21) days of the cycle. A questionnaire was used to assess the demographic characteristics and lifestyle; the mean, standard deviation (SD), and correlation coefficient were determined. The confidence level was 99% and the p-value was 0.01.
Findings: Seventy percent of females aged 18-35, with 30% over 35, are homemakers from metropolitan regions, and only 20% college degrees. Sixty percent had a BMI ≥28 (average 32±3) and experienced anxiety. Some used supplements, 35% smoked, and none exercised. Ultrasound showed 20% with polycystic ovaries. Hormone levels were impaired: 70% had decreased DHEA and D3 (43±5 and 269±94.22 ml/dl), over half had increased testosterone and prolactin (65±0.5 and 28±2.50 ml/dl), and 50% had higher FSH and LH with lower estradiol and progesterone (17.8±6.55 and 7.6±2.17). Forty percent had increased AMH (~5±3 ml/dl), and TSH was normal. Obesity, diet, and supplements were strongly correlated with hormones, as were age and smoking, but not with testosterone and DHEA. Education correlated with D3, LH, and testosterone; living also correlated with D3, LH, and dietary habits including starches, fats, junk food, sugared tea, olive oil, dairy, antioxidants, veggies, and seafood.
Conclusion: More than half of females exhibited hormonal imbalances that were positively correlated with aging, BMI, living, Activity, Diet, smoking, and supplements. In terms of dietary pattern, the survey revealed that the majority had a poor, unhealthy reproductive diet, characterized by a high intake of carbohydrates, sweets, fat, and sugary tea. There is a need for more research at the national and regional levels due to the scarcity of in-depth studies in this field.
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