ARE THERE OCCUPATIONS WITH FERTILITY RISKS?

10 January 20242′ read2 sections

CONTENTS

Which occupations carry fertility risks?
Do you need a little extra help to conceive?

You have probably heard that you should think about your health and lifestyle when you want to try to conceive. Perhaps you have made changes to your diet or stopped smoking or drinking alcohol. These are all great steps! But have you ever thought about your job? The truth is that some occupations carry fertility risks.

Knowledge is power, so you can protect your fertility by learning more about these "risky" jobs and how to keep yourself safe. Our specialists are here to give you the information you need.

Which occupations carry fertility risks?

For a pregnancy to succeed, a sperm must fertilise an egg and the fertilised egg must implant in the uterus. As a result, women need a good supply of eggs, a healthy uterus and normal levels of reproductive hormones. Men, too, need normal hormone levels as well as healthy sperm. In occupations with fertility risks, men and women are more likely to be exposed to certain toxins and hazards that can affect reproductive health.

→ In medical and dental practices, workers may be exposed to radiation, solvents and chemicals, all of which can adversely affect female fertility.

→ Pesticides used in agricultural work can affect reproductive hormones.

→ Working night shifts can also affect a woman's hormone levels. Some research has also shown that night shifts can affect ovulation and egg quality.

→ Physical strain and chemical exposure in construction and manufacturing can be harmful to both male and female fertility.

→ Jobs that involve a lot of driving can affect sperm health because of their sedentary nature.

If you work in one of these occupations with fertility risks, there is no need to panic. At our Centre, we suggest steps you can take to protect your fertility at work.

Do you need a little extra help to conceive?

Many people need help from a specialist on the road to parenthood. This is true even for men and women who do not work in high-risk jobs. If you are having difficulty conceiving, our team is here to find out the cause. With a diagnosis in hand, they can then create a tailored treatment plan. Contact us to arrange an appointment and find out more.

TAGSreproductive healthfertilityfertility and workReproductive Medicine SpecialistWe are here for youI stay informedCenter for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo Medicine

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Which occupations carry fertility risks?

Do you need a little extra help to conceive?

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?