Life-style factors and female infertility

We summarize the epidemiologic literature on the effect of life-style factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, physical exercise, body mass index, and drug use on female infertility. We identified relevant papers through MEDLINE, Index Medicus, and a manual review of reference lists. Risk factors that affect the risk of primary tubal infertility and that were corroborated in two or more studies include use of intrauterine devices (especially the Dalkon Shield) and cigarette smoking. We identified extremes in body size as a risk factor for primary ovulatory infertility. Cocaine, marijuana and alcohol use, exercise, caffeine consumption, and ever use of thyroid medications were possible risk factors for various subtypes of primary infertility. Few risk factors have been assessed or identified for secondary infertility or other less common subtypes, such as cervical or endometriosis-related infertility.