Can lifestyle affect fertility?

Note on the name: in May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was formally renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), following a global consensus process. The old name was inaccurate — the condition affects multiple hormone and metabolic systems, not just the ovaries, and "polycystic" wrongly implies ovarian cysts. Nothing about the condition, its diagnosis or its treatment has changed. Both names will be used side by side for the next few years, and we use PCOS below since that is the term most people know.

Lifestyle is one of the few fertility factors genuinely within your control, though its effect is often overstated in both directions. Smoking is the clearest one. It reduces fertility in both partners, accelerates the natural decline in egg numbers, and is associated with poorer IVF outcomes. Stopping helps, and it helps at any point. Body weight matters at both ends. A BMI above 30 is associated with irregular ovulation and poorer treatment outcomes; being significantly underweight suppresses ovulation altogether. Modest change makes a real difference — in PCOS, 5–10% weight loss can restore ovulation without any medication. Alcohol in quantity impairs sperm quality and ovarian function. Occasional moderate drinking has less clear effects, and the evidence does not support the alarm it sometimes generates. Also relevant: correcting vitamin D deficiency if you are deficient, adequate sleep, and treating conditions like diabetes and hypertension properly. What lifestyle change will not do is overcome blocked tubes, significantly reduced ovarian reserve, or substantial male factor. If you have been trying for the recommended period, pursue assessment alongside lifestyle work rather than treating diet and exercise as the first thing to exhaust.