Fertility and Our Health

The ability to create the next generation of productive human beings is not only a biological need; it has cultural, emotional, and spiritual meaning.

Forming a healthy new life is dependent on being healthy ourselves: genetically, biologically, metabolically, psychologically, and financially.

Our modern world has improved the survival of infants dramatically, which is so wonderful. But our modern world has also made having children during our peak productive years harder and has created an environment where our overall health is not often ideal to bear children.

Global fertility rates have experienced a significant decline over the past three decades, and multiple factors contribute to this trend.

Trends in Fertility Rates

Worldwide fertility rates have fallen sharply over the past three decades. The global total fertility rate decreased from about 3.2 children per woman in 1990 to around 2.3 in 2025. In South Africa, it declined from 2.9 in 1990 to 2.4 in 2023, reflecting the same global shift. Some regions, particularly in Europe and East Asia, now report rates below 1.5 – well under the population replacement level of 2.1.

Biological Peaks and Timing

Peak fertility for women is typically between ages 20–26, and for men between 22–28.
By age 35, women’s fertility is estimated to decrease by 50% compared to their early twenties.
Larger studies show conception rates per cycle drop from 25% in the early 20s to about 12–15% after age 35.
After age 35, a successful pregnancy requires an above-average level of overall health.
Miscarriage rates increase from about 10% in women under 30 to 20–35% in those older than 40.
Sexual health issues, such as erectile dysfunction or reduced libido, are more common with advancing age, metabolic disorders, and chronic stress.
Carrying a pregnancy to term becomes more challenging with age due to higher risks of hypertension, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth.

Factors Affecting Reproductive Health

Age: Delaying childbearing reduces reproductive success, with risks of infertility and pregnancy complications rising sharply after 35.
Metabolic health: Pre-diabetes and diabetes increase infertility rates and pregnancy loss, with some studies showing up to a twofold increase in risk.
Inflammation: Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis are linked to low-grade inflammation, affecting about 10% of women of reproductive age.
Poor diet: High intake of processed foods, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and micronutrient deficiencies are commonly reported in couples with infertility.
Excess supplementation: Overdoing supplements of vitamins, minerals, and several sports supplements and energy drinks has the potential to not only make conceiving more difficult, but also contribute to miscarriage and birth defects.
Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles are associated with increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and reduced fertility.
Excessive stress: Chronic stress alters reproductive hormone balance; studies show higher rates of menstrual irregularities and reduced sperm quality among stressed individuals.
Dopamine stimulation (social media and other tech): Persistent overstimulation can disrupt sleep and hormone cycles, negatively impacting fertility.
Autoimmune disorders: Thyroid dysfunction is present in up to 8% of women with infertility, and autoimmune conditions as a group have risen globally, affecting reproductive hormones.

Couple Holding Hands and Walking Together

The Role of Male Health in Fertility

Most people assume that the woman bears the full burden of a healthy pregnancy, but men play an equally important role. Male factors contribute to up to 50 % of infertility cases, either as the sole cause (~20-30 %) or in combination with female factors. Poor paternal health before conception is linked to higher risks of pregnancy loss, low birthweight, preterm birth, and other adverse birth outcomes—even after adjusting for maternal health.

A man’s age, metabolic health, lifestyle, and exposures (such as obesity, smoking, environmental toxins) all influence sperm quality, DNA integrity, and epigenetic factors passed to the embryo. In short: your partner’s health isn’t just supportive—it’s part of the foundation for creating healthy life together.

Monitoring & Improving Reproductive Health at Hoogland

Hoogland Health Hydro has been known as one of the premier venues for improving overall health and wellbeing for almost 50 years. Many clients have invested time at Hoogland with the aim of one day cradling their own infant in their arms.

In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in clients struggling with infertility, and only recently have we come to fully appreciate the value that Hoogland provides in this regard.

For those specifically focused on creating a healthy new life, we now offer a comprehensive series of tests to evaluate and monitor fertility. These on-site tests are available for both men and women, and, should additional testing be needed, we assist in coordinating them.

We rapidly identify physical hurdles to successful pregnancies that can be improved through lifestyle changes. Our team then works closely with prospective parents to track their health improvements – ideally reducing the need for more expensive and invasive fertility interventions.

Even if lifestyle changes do not lead to a successful pregnancy right away, they significantly increase the likelihood of success should further interventions, such as IVF, become necessary.

Improving lifestyle health is not only vital for fertility – it is essential at every stage of life. Parenthood is hard work, and being physically and mentally healthy is important not only for conception but also for becoming a successful and resilient parent.

There is arguably no better place to enhance your well-being than at Hoogland Health Hydro. For nearly five decades, we’ve helped people rebuild their strength, balance their health, and rediscover vitality in both body and mind. We’d love to help you take your next steps toward living your best life.