Do you often watch TV while lying on the bed and sleep without turning it off? Or do you drift off to sleep while reading a book with the bed lamp on? Do you use your phone for hours in the dark before sleeping? If your answer is yes to any of the above questions, you need to read this, especially if you’re planning to conceive.

According to a study, researchers from Japan Science and Technology Agency, Osaka University, and ULCA proved that the habit of exposing your body and eyes to artificial light at night before you sleep can decrease your chances of getting pregnant. The researchers exposed a few sleeping mice (female ones) to an artificial light at night. They found out that the chances of the female mice (especially middle-aged ones) getting pregnant were reduced significantly, and there was a drop of 10% in the final results. Even the younger ones were also affected, but not as much as the middle-aged ones.

So, you might wonder about the connection between light and fertility. Let me explain it. The artificial light has a relation with the circadian rhythm of our body. Our body’s internal clock manages and controls everything, including our sleep pattern and menstrual cycle. Melatonin is a hormone that controls our sleep cyle. This hormone is controlled by SCN i.e. the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is located exactly behind the optic nerves in the brain.

When there is less light, the SCN informs the brain to release more melatonin, and this makes you feel drowsy. Melatonin also modulates the two reproductive hormones – estrogen and progesterone. When there is too much of artificial light at night, the production of melatonin is automatically decreased, whereas it should be the highest at that time.

This study was done on mice, but the researchers stated that the same applies to the human body as well, especially to women who are above 30 years of age. This is when the fertility levels begin to drop naturally.

If you follow any of these habits, it’s time to change. If you’re worried that your habit might influence your chances of getting pregnant, then fret not. The effects of this habit can be controlled easily just by following a regular sleep schedule.

So, today, when you go to bed, turn off all the lights, keep all electric gadgets away, and enjoy a peaceful sleep.

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