When you’re trying to conceive, or if you want to conceive in the future, little things can affect your fertility. Check out the things that make you infertile that you might not know about.

1. Late night light exposure is known to interfere with sleep, but it can also interfere with your fertility. Exposure to light at night, like reading from your iPad in bed affects your melatonin levels. Melatonin is a chemical in the brain that helps you fall asleep. Poor sleep can interfere with your ability to conceive. But melatonin is also present in your reproductive tract to protect your eggs from free radical damage. Exposure to light at night can suppress your melatonin production and even potentially harm a fetus down the line by interfering with sleep and causing other possible health issues

2. High cholesterol can affect fertility, especially if both potential parents have the condition. Women with high cholesterol levels typically take longer to get pregnant. When both male and female partners have high cholesterol, it can take even longer. If you are trying to conceive, consider getting both you and your partner’s cholesterol tested. By eating a better diet, reducing stress and drinking green tea you can lower it to healthier levels.

3. Diet can also affect fertility. You probably already know to eat healthily and avoid junk food, but you may also want to consider when you consume your calories. Studies have shown that consuming half your daily calories as part of a big breakfast may potentially increase your fertility, especially for women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). So watch what and when you eat

4. Brush and floss for healthy oral hygiene. According to studies, your fertility could be linked to your oral health. Brush and floss daily and get routine cleanings and exams to prep your body in the event that you want to have a baby someday.

Luckily, with a few tweaks and changes to your lifestyle, these things can be reversed to restore your fertility.

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