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What are the Effects of Steroids on Fertility and Pregnancy?

With so many Millennials focusing on self-care in today's society, personal habits can lead to harmful effects in terms of disrupting one's fertility. 

In fact, according to a 2015 survey done by the Pew Research Center, the Millennial generation is more focused on making personal improvement commitments than any other generation in history. For example, Millennials spend double the amount of money on products and services like fitness care (exercise and supplements) and life coaching. However, many young people may also turn to steroid use to revamp their personal image, which can have negative effects on pregnancy. 

To help shed some light on this issue, here are some important things to know about male and female fertility challenges when it comes to steroid use and pregnancy:

The Effects of Steroids on Male and Female Fertility

Although many men and women take steroids for health reasons and personal appearances, those who abuse steroid use can hugely impact their ability to conceive. 

Issues that Men Can Face: 

Primarily, the main issues that men can face from steroid use are erectile dysfunction (ED) and impotence. This is mainly due to the fact that steroid use interrupts the normal flow of hormones needed to produce healthy sexual behavior. Not to mention, steroid use has a major effect on sperm production and can deplete one's sperm count significantly. 

That being said, male issues can quickly be rectified once steroids are no longer taken, although sperm levels may take up to one year to return back to a healthy state. 

Issues Women Can Face: 

For women, steroid use may cause birth defects to occur as a fetus develops and the child is eventually born. In addition, prolonged steroid use can lead to pregnancy complications, as well as interruptions to a woman's menstrual cycle and overall chances of conceiving. Even cases of cervical cancer may arise, which has a serious impact on one's overall ability to achieve pregnancy and plan for the future. 

To eliminate the risk of these issues, it's best to avoid steroid use altogether or allow a substantial period of time to pass for steroids to get out of one's system entirely. Women can always consult with their doctor to discuss their options and what course of action is best for a healthy pregnancy moving forward. 

Next Steps for Building a Family

Working with a top fertility clinic like Kofinas Fertility Group can help you plan for your next steps that lead to building the family of your dreams.  

If you've dealt with steroid use in the past, our team of experts can help you build a custom, personalized fertility treatment plan that allows for ample time to cleanse your body and initiate a healthy pregnancy without fear or anxiety. More importantly, you can trust that you have tremendous resources at your disposal to make your pregnancy journey a pleasant one from start to finish. 

To learn more about Kofinas Fertility Group, request an appointment!



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