Ok, here’s the thing—you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while, but all your pregnancy test results are negative. That’s disheartening. 

Expecting those two little pink lines to appear on pregnancy test strips every time can be emotionally exhausting. But don’t lose hope just yet! Everybody’s body is different. Certain things make it difficult for women to get pregnant. Making a few adjustments to your lifestyle and habits can significantly impact your chances of conceiving, however. 

Here are a few things you must sidestep to turn those negative results into positive news.

#1 Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Enjoying a glass of wine or two occasionally won’t do any harm. But heavy drinking can affect your chances of conceiving. 

You don’t have to drink alcohol in large quantities. Going overboard—say drinking one to five glasses of alcohol every week—can put a damper on your fertility, says Dr Samantha Wild, the clinical lead for Women’s Health and Bupa GP. 

Heavy drinking can mess with your menstrual cycle and disrupt ovulation. It will be hard for you to pinpoint your fertile days. Alcohol also affects the ovarian reserve or the number of healthy, immature eggs that are capable of fertilization. 

It’s always a good idea to avoid alcohol altogether if you and your partner are planning to start a family. But if you can’t do that, cut back on it. Or opt for non-alcoholic beverages. 

#2 Caffeine Overload

That morning cup of coffee can be a delightful ritual, but consuming too much caffeine might not be doing your fertility any favors. 

In a recent article published in Women’s Health Melbourne, Dr Raelia Lew writes that high levels of caffeine consumption put women at risk of miscarriage. 

Lew’s article also quoted a study of 104 women trying to get pregnant. It found that females who had limited coffee to one cup had twice the likelihood of becoming pregnant each month than those who consumed moderate amounts. Those whose caffeine intake was high were at risk of not getting pregnant, revealed the same study. 

Caffeine is thought to affect the maturation process of fertile eggs. It is also believed to impact ovulation and corpus luteum functioning through fluctuations in hormonal levels. 

So, how much is too much? You should take at most 200-300 milligrams of caffeine a day. That is roughly one to two cups of coffee. Don’t forget that caffeine isn’t just in coffee—it’s also in tea, soda, chocolate, and some medications.

Swap that extra cup of coffee with a caffeine-free alternative, like herbal tea or decaf coffee. 

#3 Certain Medications

Some over-the-counter and prescription drugs can interfere with your ability to conceive. 

Take, for example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen. Taking a high dosage of these drugs or using them for the long term can make it difficult for you to conceive, says the NHS. They can inhibit ovulation. 

Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some antibiotics also affect reproductive health adversely. 

Even certain thyroid medications are unsafe if you’re trying to get pregnant. For instance, Tepezza (teprotumumab), used for the treatment of thyroid eye disease shouldn’t be taken by women who plan to conceive. That’s what the official website says. 

That aside, the FDA has added hearing loss and impairment warnings to Tepezza’s label following lawsuits. Hearing impairment is another reason to avoid this thyroid eye disease drug. 

The first Tepezza lawsuit was filed by Daniel Weibel in Illinois in August 2022. The suit claimed that he suffered tinnitus and permanent hearing loss after using the drug. As of December 2023, about 71 cases related to Tepezza are pending in the MDL. 

The lawsuits, TorHoerman Law explains, allege that Horizon Therapeutics, Tepezza’s manufacturer, failed to add hearing impairment warnings on the drug’s label. Thus, always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication when planning for pregnancy.

#4 Stress

Many of the stressors of life—hello bills, deadlines, traffic, and the list is practically endless—are inevitable. But too much stress can affect your fertility. 

An article posted by Fadi Yahya, M.D. in the Mayo Clinic Health System reveals that stress can interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive. Women who have a history of depression are twice as likely to be infertile. 

When you’re stressed, your body produces hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. That can interfere with the hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle and ovulation.

Managing stress is easier said than done. But activities like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help calm your mind and body. If something bothers you, share it with your partner. Sometimes, just talking about what you’re going through can make a big difference. 

Your journey to getting pregnant can be a bit overwhelming. When trying to conceive, avoid these common pitfalls. Steering clear of these harmful habits can increase your chances of getting pregnant significantly. 

Keep in mind that getting pregnant can take time, and that’s perfectly normal. If you’re feeling uncertain or facing challenges, seek advice from healthcare professionals. They can offer the guidance and support you need.