Not getting pregnant? Sleep may be the problem. Only it isn’t your sleep habits that are the problem, it’s your man’s lack of sleep. Men and women should start paying closer attention to your sleep habits.
Research presented at the 2016 annual conference of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine found some interesting sleep facts.
Men who get too little or too much sleep lower their risk of getting pregnant with their significant other by 42 percent, according to the study.
This is a startling statistic for men and women trying to get pregnant.
First Study to Compare Sleep Habits of Men and Getting Pregnant
Dr. Laura Wise, professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health and coauthor of the study told The Huffington Post, “Our results suggest that perhaps male fertility could be added to the list of positive health outcomes associated with getting a good night’s sleep.”
To increase your chances of getting pregnant, men need eight hours of sleep per night. The study is also the first of its kind to examine how a man’s sleep and conception.
Men: Getting Pregnant Fast Requires More Sleep, Says 790 Couples
The recent “sleep vs. getting pregnant” research involved 790 couples trying to conceive from 50 U.S. states and the 10 Canadian provinces.
Couples answered a variety of questions online about their sleep habits and lifestyle, and the study followed the couples for a year. Interestingly, men who slept six hours or less lowered their getting pregnant rate by 42 percent.
Men who slept nine or more hours had the same decreased rate of conception with their partners. This was compared with those sleeping eight hours per night.
“We cannot rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors explain our results, but we controlled for a wide range of variables measured in both the female and male partner,” Dr. Wise explained to The Huffington Post.
Testosterone, Sleep, and Getting Pregnant are All Factors for Men
Researchers didn’t measure testosterone levels in the study, but they do believe that getting pregnant, sleep, and testosterone are contributing factors.
Testosterone is known to have a big impact on fertility, and prior research has shown that men produce the hormone during sleep. The quality of semen is also impacted by sleep, according to research.
Getting pregnant relies on a number of factors. The lack of sleep is simply one possibility. It does raise interest, however, there are other factors like the body’s circadian rhythm.
You may have a lot of pregnancy questions, your OBGYN, or talk to a doctor online to get the pregnancy answers you need and deserve.
If you and your partner are trying to conceive, focusing on sleep is easy, and it promotes better overall health and wellbeing. Are you, or your man, getting the eight hours needed to get pregnant?
Pregnancy Sleep Tips:
Submitted by Dr. Richard Honaker: https://www.independentmedicalexaminer.com/IME-Directory/Virginia/Dr-Richard-A-Honaker-MD.asp
