Foods That Cause Infertility in Females

When you’re trying to conceive, diet matters more than we often realize. Many factors impact fertility, but what you eat can make a surprising difference. Some foods support reproductive health and can help prepare your body for pregnancy, while others can make it harder to conceive. This article breaks down common foods that cause infertility in females and which foods are best to embrace for a fertility-friendly diet.

How Your Diet Influences Fertility

Certain foods are helpful, and others are harmful, as simple as that. A diet rich in nutrients like folic acid, iron, and vitamin D can boost your chances of conceiving by balancing hormones, improving egg quality, and preparing your body. But eating foods high in sugar, unhealthy fats, or processed carbs can throw off your body’s balance and even reduce your chances of getting pregnant. If you're looking for ways to get pregnant fast, paying attention to your diet can make a significant difference. Let’s dive into some foods that make you infertile.

Foods That Cause Infertility in Females

Below are some foods that make you infertile and these must be avoided to better your chances of conceiving.

Sugary Foods and Sweetened Drinks

Foods with a lot of sugar, like soda and candy, can mess up your body’s hormone levels. Sugary foods cause insulin spikes that can affect ovulation. Some studies link high sugar intake to a higher risk of developing PCOS, a condition known to cause infertility in many women. Vitamin B6 for infertility may also help stabilize hormone levels, making it easier to maintain reproductive health. It’s tough to skip dessert, but it can be worth it. [1].

Top Tip: Instead of candy or sugary drinks, reach for fruit or water flavored with lemon slices. Just a small change can make a big difference.

Refined Carbohydrates

White bread, pasta, pastries – the usual suspects. Refined carbs cause blood sugar spikes, which lead to insulin resistance over time. This disrupts hormone levels, and hormones are key for ovulation and overall reproductive health. So, these common carbs might be more harmful than we think [2].

Top Tip: Choose whole grains like oats, brown rice, or quinoa instead. They’re better for your body and help keep blood sugar steady.

Trans Fats

Trans fats, found in fried foods, packaged snacks, and fast food, can increase inflammation and hurt reproductive health. Trans fats have been shown to disrupt insulin levels, creating hormone imbalances that affect ovulation and fertility in general. So yes, these foods don’t just affect heart health; they also affect fertility [3].

Top Tip: Replace fried snacks with nuts, and choose baked or grilled over fried whenever you can.

High-Mercury Fish

Certain types of fish, like tuna, swordfish, and king mackerel, contain high mercury levels. Mercury can build up in your body over time and even impact fetal development if you do conceive. Opt for low-mercury fish like salmon or shrimp, which are healthier choices for anyone hoping to get pregnant [4].

Top Tip: Limit high-mercury fish to once a month and look for supplements with DHA for omega-3s instead.

Low-Fat Dairy

Surprisingly, low-fat dairy products might not be a good idea when you’re trying to conceive. Studies suggest that low-fat dairy may affect hormonal balance, raising the risk of infertility. On the other hand, full-fat dairy can support female reproductive health [5].

Top Tip: Try adding whole milk or full-fat yogurt to your diet. Moderation is key.

Foods That Support Fertility

Here are some foods that support fertility, and consumption of these foods increases the chances of getting pregnant.

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Veggies and fruits are packed with antioxidants, which protect reproductive cells from damage. Vitamin C from citrus fruits and vitamin E in seeds and nuts help defend your body from oxidative stress, keeping eggs and other cells healthy [6].

Whole Grains

Whole grains, like oats, quinoa, and brown rice, give steady energy and essential nutrients. They’re high in fiber and packed with B vitamins, like folate, which is vital for preventing birth defects and supporting reproductive health [7].

Plant-Based Proteins

Proteins from beans, nuts, and lentils have shown a positive effect on fertility, particularly in balancing hormones. Swapping out some animal proteins for plant sources can help reduce inflammation, which is key for reproductive health [8].

Top Tip: Consider having at least one plant-based meal per day to boost your intake of these helpful proteins.

Healthy Fats

Good fats, such as those found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts, support hormone production and improve cellular health. Including these healthy fats can help your body regulate hormones, which are essential for ovulation and overall fertility [9].

Final Thoughts

Eating a balanced diet can significantly improve your chances of conceiving. By avoiding foods that cause infertility in females, like sugary drinks, processed carbs, and trans fats, you’re setting yourself up for success. Making small, consistent changes to what you eat may be one of the simplest steps you can take toward starting or expanding your family.

FAQs

Can caffeine affect my fertility?

In small amounts, caffeine is usually fine, but high levels can mess with hormone levels. Try to keep it to a cup or two a day.

Are processed meats bad for fertility?

Yes, processed meats contain preservatives and harmful fats that can interfere with hormone balance, which can hurt fertility.

Does sugar affect fertility?

Yes, high sugar intake can lead to insulin resistance, which impacts hormone balance and can reduce fertility.

Is dairy good or bad for fertility?

Whole-fat dairy may actually help support fertility, while low-fat dairy could have the opposite effect.

What should I add to my diet to support fertility?

Include lots of leafy greens, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like avocados. It’s all about balance.

Citations

Leung, W. T., Tang, Z., Feng, Y., Guan, H., Huang, Z., & Zhang, W. (2022). Lower Fiber Consumption in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36558444/
Chavarro, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Rosner, B. A., & Willett, W. C. (2009). A prospective study of dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality in relation to risk of ovulatory infertility. European journal of clinical nutrition. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3066074/
Chavarro, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Rosner, B. A., & Willett, W. C. (2007). Dietary fatty acid intakes and the risk of ovulatory infertility. The American journal of clinical nutrition. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17209201/
Taylor, C. M., Golding, J., & Emond, A. M. (2016). Blood mercury levels and fish consumption in pregnancy: Risks and benefits for birth outcomes in a prospective observational birth cohort. International journal of hygiene and environmental health. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4970655/
J.E. Chavarro, J.W. Rich-Edwards, B. Rosner, W.C. Willett, A prospective study of dairy foods intake and anovulatory infertility, Human Reproduction. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article-abstract/22/5/1340/2914869?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Thomson, C. A., Neuhouser, M. L., Shikany, J. M., Caan, B. J., Monk, B. J., Mossavar-Rahmani, Y., Sarto, G., Parker, L. M., Modugno, F., & Anderson, G. L. (2008). The role of antioxidants and vitamin A in ovarian cancer: results from the Women's Health Initiative. Nutrition and cancer. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19005970/
Gaskins, A. J., Nassan, F. L., Chiu, Y. H., Arvizu, M., Williams, P. L., Keller, M. G., Souter, I., Hauser, R., Chavarro, J. E., & EARTH Study Team (2019). Dietary patterns and outcomes of assisted reproduction. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6545142/
Chavarro, J. E., Rich-Edwards, J. W., Rosner, B. A., & Willett, W. C. (2008). Protein intake and ovulatory infertility. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18226626/
Uysal, B., Sahin, N., & Kara, H. (2024). Effects of Nutritional Status and Foods Consumed on Inflammation and Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania). Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11356665/