RESEARCHERS HAVE FOUND a definitive link between fertility problems and high cholesterol.

According to a new study, couples with high levels of the waxy, fat-like substance took “considerably longer” to conceive.

And it is not just connected to the woman trying to get pregnant.

“Couples in which both the prospective mother and father had high cholesterol levels took the longest time to conceive a child,” said lead author Enrique Schisterman.

“Our study also found couples in which the woman had high cholesterol and the man did not took longer to become pregnant than couples where both partners had cholesterol levels in the normal range.”

He urged couples trying to achieve pregnancy to improve their chance by getting their cholesterol checked – and brought down to acceptable levels, if required.

As part of their study, the teams from University at Buffalo (New York), and Emory University in Atlanta, followed 501 couples between 2005 and 2009.

They were studied until pregnancy or for up to one year of trying. They provided blood samples which were tested for cholesterol.

According to a fertility clinic in Ireland, cholesterol helps to produce hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, which are essential to conception.

“But too much or two little can hinder the process,” ReproMed Ireland notes.

Senior Clinical Embryologist at the clinic Declan Keane said the findings “reinforce the need for individuals and couples who are struggling to conceive to seek advice on altering their lifestyles to give their bodies the best chance at not only a healthy future, but one with a child”.

Keane also said that other health issues such as weight, diet and lifestyle can seriously harm fertility health.

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