Need an excuse to dial back your workouts? Well, ladies, you've got it. New research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that the risk of infertility was more than three times great for women who exercised to the point of exhaustion compared to those who exercised moderately.

Smoking, stress, alcohol and being extremely under or overweight can all affect a woman's chances of becoming pregnant, but elite athletes seem to have a more difficult time conceiving compared to other women. According to researchers, extreme physical activity seems to be partially to blame.

The 10-year study followed 3,000 women who were healthy and in their childbearing years from the 1980s to 1990s. Those who trained every day to exhaustion -- 24 percent of the subjects -- had the highest risk of infertility. "When we compared those who trained to exhaustion to those who trained more moderately, we found that the first group had a three-fold greater risk of impaired fertility," said study author Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir, a Ph.D. candidate in NTNU's Human Movement Science Program.

Photo: eric langner, Flickr

Obesity and fertility are closely linked. Not only can obesity cause ovulation problems, it also seems to impair fertility in obese women who ovulate normally. But recent research gives new hope to obese or overweight women who are hoping to get pregnant. Research shows that a small amount of weight loss can increase fertility.

Women in the study had a BMI of nearly 40. They were given medication (orlistat or metformin) to help them shed pounds. After 12 weeks, researchers discovered that even a modest 5 percent drop in weight increased blood flow to the womb, which reduced testosterone levels and triggered the ovaries to function properly.

When you have lots of weight to lose, it can be daunting to look at your long-term weight goal. Particularly so when you have an important goal -- like getting pregnant -- in mind. That's why it's important to set milestones along the way. If you're overweight and trying to to get pregnant, start with the goal of losing just 5 percent of your weight. Then aim for 10 percent. Short-term goals are more attainable and can help keep you motivated.

Most of the women in the study had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which can make weight loss more difficult. If you have PCOS and have had difficulty losing weight in the past, ask your doctor for advice. But healthy eating and exercise are necessary for everyone who's trying to lose weight, and they're particularly important for women on the verge of getting pregnant. Check out AOL Health for weight loss tips that work.

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Photo: JamieL.WilliamsPhotography/Flickr

Elite bikers are true endurance superstars. Ironman athletes stay in the saddle for 112 miles. Amazing. But it's a mere drop in the hat when you consider the Tour de France goes for over 2,000 miles (over approximately 23 days). All of the hours spent training and racing may give male competitors some of the most awesome legs around -- but they don't do the bikers any favors in the fertility department.

According to recent research, sperm quality drops with vigorous biking. Running and swimming don't have a negative impact on sperm quality. But multiple biking factors can cause the littlest swimmers to get a bit shy. Why? Researchers explain that the heat from tight clothing, friction against the bike's saddle and sheer stress on the body from vigorous activity contribute to the reduced sperm quality.

Now for the good news: The most severe fertility issues were seen in athletes who were logging more than 186 miles per week on their bikes. So biking a few days a week for exercise or commuting to work on your bike isn't likely to affect fertility.

The biking and infertility link is simply a case of "too much of a good thing." And it's a reminder to all of us that you should shake up your workout from time to time. Adding variety to your workout is good for many reasons -- it keeps things interesting, and it presents ever-changing challenges for your body. Even when training for a distance race, it's a good idea to incorporate complementary activities into your your training routine.

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Obese men have a lower chance of reproducing, and it's just not because they're less likely to score with chicks at the bar. No, obese men have an actual physical problem down there, with their sperm.

According to new studies, obesity impairs fertility by not only drastically reducing sperm count in men, but also by altering the quality of sperm. Additionally, a previous study found that obese men were more likely to battle impotence problems too.

Obviously, obese men who want to have kids should slim down but not just in the interest of improving their chances of conceiving. Obesity is one of the highest causes of premature death -- and you want to live to see those kids grow up, don't you? Well, then, now might be just the time to align yourself with America Takes It Off. Click here to learn more. And come back and see us on Monday -- we'll be issuing a challenge that might just help you on your way to slimmer days.

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Acupuncture is used to treat many conditions -- from migraine headaches to arthritis to backaches. It's also sometimes recommended as an companion to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). It was thought to improve blood flow, subsequently improving the chance of embryo implantation. However, recent data from London suggests that acupuncture may not be helpful to IVF at all.

The researchers evaluated 13 separate trials involving nearly 2,500 women. Five of the trials evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture at the time of egg retrieval. Eight studies evaluated acupuncture at the time of embryo implantation. Some women who were getting acupuncture treatments did need less pain medication during egg retrieval, but none of the studies showed a difference in pregnancy rates among the women who received acupuncture, those who received a "sham" version of acupuncture, and those who didn't get acupuncture at all.

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Healthy eating is important for everyone -- it helps you maintain an appropriate weight, provides your body with the right mix of vitamins and minerals, and sustains energy. But healthy eating has another perk ... it helps promote male fertility.

Male infertility is the cause of roughly half of all infertility cases. And erectile dysfunction can affect a couple's sex life and strain a relationship. To maintain or improve sexual function and fertility, a heart-healthy diet is imperative. Healthy blood pressure and unclogged arteries equal an improved blood flow -- and when it comes to men, improved blood flow equals healthier sexual function.

Check out the gallery for seven foods that can help improve male sexual function. And for more on men's sexual health, visit AOL Body.

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Endometriosis is a condition that was discussed a lot in my house when I hit puberty and started experiencing menstrual cramping that brought me to my knees. My mother was diagnosed with it (and told she needed a hysterectomy) when she gave birth to me -- that was, of course, after more than 25 years of truly unbearable cramping during menstruation and 10 years of trying to conceive with no luck. She had seen doctors about the pain and was basically told it was in her head.

So, when I came across this post at Divine Caroline on the "Devastating Effects of Endometriosis," I took a moment to read it over, and boy am I glad I did. It turns out that endometriosis can cause a lot more than just miserable cramping.

Endometriosis "occurs when fragments of the womb lining are found in other parts of the body where they may swell, bleed, and lead to fusing and scarring." Fragments are generally found in the abdomen, but can be found in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and bowel -- even as far away as the lungs. And, it can cause infertility -- between 30 and 40 percent of women with endometriosis are unable to conceive.

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Life Fit Chat with That's Fit Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis brings conversation provoking tidbits to your table, served up with a touch of spice! Byte-sized information that pack some punch, brought to you every Wednesday and Thursday!

Did you know your man may not be as fertile as his father was? Numerous studies conducted over the past 20 years indicate that sperm counts in human males, as well as alligators, are on the decline. And more and more fish are becoming hermaphrodites. The average sperm count is as follows:

Volume - 2-6 ml
Density - > 20-200 million ml
Motility - > 60% motile

However, according to scientific literature on sperm counts, these values are decreasing at a steady pace. Sperm counts are not only decreasing, but the average sperm volumes are showing a greater proportion of deformed spermatozoa that have reduced motility. This is not only an American phenomenon; it is occurring globally. Scientists hypothesize the change is indicative of environmental and/or lifestyle factors as opposed to genetic changes in susceptibility.

If the decrease in sperm counts continue to decline at the rate at which they have been in the past 10 years, the human race may be subject to widespread male infertility. Scientists have ideas as to why this is occurring, but they have not conclusive findings to actually provide preventative measures.

What are your thoughts? How do you think the human race will evolve to in order to survive?

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Cell phones have been accused of causing brain tumors, hearing loss, even making you look older, and now we can add one more thing to the list. Researchers who have been looking at the effect of electromagnetic waves of sperm cells and have had some interesting results. In the group of men studied, as reported cell phone use increased, the number and quality of their sperm went down.

Before you ban your man from using his mobile, keep in mind that these results are very, very preliminary. To quote one author, "We are not saying that mobile phones affect fertility." More research needs to be done before anyone can definitively what these results mean.

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It never hurts to do a little review on a topic that affects so many women, and some men too. The topic: Anorexia.

Anorexia Nervosa, a type of eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and leading to a restriction of food and dangerous weight loss, is one serious disease -- between one and two of every 10 cases of anorexia leads to death from starvation, cardiac arrest, medical complications, or suicide.

Anorexia can halt the physical and emotional growth of teenagers and can lead to premature osteoporosis, infertility, increased risk of miscarriage, and low-birth-weight babies. Anorexia may be especially deadly for women with insulin-dependent diabetes if they omit or under-use insulin to control their weight.

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A doctor once told me that there are so many pieces that have to fall into place, so many small details that have to line up perfectly, that it's a wonder anyone gets pregnant at all. He didn't tell me that to discourage me, but instead to explain that there are so many factors to fertility, beyond the obvious ones. If you're having trouble conceiving and have no clinical signs of infertility, check out this article on how to improve your fertility. They include:

• stop smoking
• reduce stress
• get enough of the right nutrition
• lose weight
• consider certain natural fertility boosters (check with your doctor first)
• avoid foods with pesticides
• get enough sleep

In some cases, those tips are derived from studies that are small or only seem to indicate a link, so take a minute to read the full article and decide what is right for you before making any changes.

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Infertility is a heartbreaking issue for anyone who's experienced it. Though there are costly medications and procedures to help, there are also a number of natural steps that a couple or individual can take to increase their chances of conceiving. Hence the appeal of yoga fertility classes, which use poses and practices thought to increase fertility.

Though there's little scientific evidence to show that yoga can help aid conception, I believe it can simply because it can relieve stress and calm one's mind. When a woman is trying to get pregnant while listening to the deafening ticking of her biological clock, she is stressed out, worried and all-too focuses on the task at hand. While I'm no expert, I think that yoga can help put things in perspective and help ease the pressure of anticipation.

What do you think?

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I saw something on my local morning show that kind of got me worried this morning -- it was about how drinking from plastic bottles can be dangerous because the type of plastic used in them can emit toxins. Now, I am a water-aholic and I am rarely seen without my Nalgene bottle. It's my way of ensuring that I get my 64-oz of water a day.

The ingredient in plastic that's dangerous is called polycarbonate and most plastics have it -- even tin cans and baby bottles have polycarbonate. Poly carbonates have been linked to infertility problems and miscarriages, as well as other problems. You can tell if your bottle has polycarbonate by checking the bottom -- if it read PC near the recycle symbol, it's in there. So what can you do? Drink from glass or stainless steel bottles. And if this isn't an option because of kids, many stores carry polycarbonate-free plastics.

What do you think -- is this paranoid mumbo-jumbo, or should I be afraid?

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Merck has stopped promoting the mandatory use of Gardasil that targets the human papillomavirus (HPV). It's probably no coincidence that their turn-around comes at the same time that reports from the National Vaccine Information Center are surfacing about fainting and dizziness reported by dozens of patients as side effects of Gardasil. There are also some concerns that Gardasil may cause infertility.

An early version of the Virginia house bill contained a clause addressing liability issues "if a female who is inoculated with the HPV vaccine becomes incapable of naturally conceiving a healthy child carried to live birth or experiences impaired fertility as a result of the HPV vaccine".

Legislators got that idea because the vaccine contains Polysorbate 80, which is linked to infertility in mice. The Merck HPV vaccine also contains sodium borate which is a common roach killer in each of its three doses. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health notes of sodium borate that it "is now known to be a dangerous poison, it is no longer commonly used in medical preparations." That was published in 2005. Yet the FDA in 2006 approved the Merck vaccine with this "dangerous poison" to be "commonly used" in these vaccinations. The symptoms of sodium borate poisoning according to the NLM citation include many of the side effects being reported after less than six months of the vaccine usage. These include convulsions, collapse, and seizures that include twitching of facial muscles, arms, hands, legs, and feet.

How many of these young women taking this vaccine will find out that they are barren 10 to 15 years down the road and what will their options be if they are forced to take this drug because of legislation mandates?

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I don't know what to make of this: US researchers found during a comprehensive study that women who eat more full-fat dairy products, including ice cream, improve their chances of pregnancy. It seems almost too good to be true: eat ice cream to increase fertility. That sound you here is thousands of women clamoring for their freezer, finally given permission to eat their favorite guilty pleasure...without the guilt.

Low and no fat dairy products have a whey protein added to them that may have male hormone effects in women, suppressing ovulation. Full fat dairy products have higher levels of estrogen, a female hormone, which may increase the chances of ovulation. Full fat dairy has been getting more press lately, and with the addition of this study, whole milk may officially be not just for toddlers anymore.

On the other hand, thousands of women who are overweight are told to lose weight to increase their chances of ovulating, and women who have PCOS are told to avoid sugary treats due to insulin resistance. So if you decide to add full fat dairy back into your diet, make sure you make the necessary adjustments, because you'll be adding calories and saturated fat, as well as sugar if you decide to go for the ice cream. Adding in fat and calories mean you'll have to reduce them elsewhere to avoid gaining weight. Mmmm...ice cream!

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