Scientists find link between high cholesterol and infertility

Suffering from high cholesterol can cause infertility and delay pregnancy, latest research shows.

In the study, the total amount of free cholesterol in each partner’s blood was directly linked to the total time they took to fulfil their baby dreams. Couples, who failed to conceive even after trying for one year, had higher levels of free cholesterol in their blood than others.

Researchers analyzed 501 couples who were not receiving infertility treatment but were trying to conceive from 2005–2009. The couples were part of the LIFE (Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment) study that examined the relationship between fertility and exposure to environmental chemicals and lifestyle. Study authors followed the couples until pregnancy or for up to 1 year of trying.

Dr. Schisterman and colleagues measured the concentration of free cholesterol, which did not distinguish between cholesterol types (eg, HDL, LDL, triglycerides). The probability of a couple achieving pregnancy was calculated by the fecundability odds ratio (FOR).

They found that couples in which each partner had a high cholesterol level took the longest time to achieve pregnancy. High free cholesterol levels were correlated with longer times to pregnancy and lower fecundability odds ratios. In addition, couples where the woman had a high cholesterol level and the man did not also took longer to achieve pregnancy when compared to couples in which both partners had acceptable levels of cholesterol.

Agencies/Canadajournal