There are various reasons why women don't want to get pregnant. Some fear that they might lose their jobs, while other women fear having to change their lifestyle in order to accommodate their pregnancy. Some women cannot stand the thought of having to wear maternity clothes, give birth or having to breastfeed. When women inform the people in their lives that they don't want to get pregnant, they are often met with very strong negative reactions. It might not just be that they don't want to raise a little cuddly human being that is part of them, they might have thyroid issues or a condition that causes infertility.

Yes, life changes the moment a woman finds out she is pregnant and there are a lot of changes that she has to make. Every woman is different and each have their reason as to why they prefer to get or not to get pregnant. Read below to find out 15 things that make women less likely to get pregnant.

15 Being Overweight

For the most part, women dread the thought of being overweight. Every woman is different and they come in different size and shapes, but there is a difference between being “big-boned” and being overweight. Someone who is big-boned, is larger than the average, genetically, and can still be as healthy as a horse. Being overweight is when people eat more calories than they burn off, causing their body to store the extra calories as fat and it can cause various health problems. Of course, people who look overweight can also be perfectly healthy - that verdict is best made by their doctor and not people who don't know them or their situation.

One issue that we all need to be aware of is that it is a lot harder to get pregnant if a woman is unhealthily overweight. Some women who are overweight experience hormonal imbalances that can affect their menstrual cycle and prevent ovulation, making it harder to conceive.

Being overweight can also cause issues during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes that can affect the baby in the womb, high blood pressure and miscarriage. Weight issues make pregnant women more prone to infections and other complications that can affect them and their baby.

14 Being Underweight

On the other end of the scale (excuse the pun), being underweight can be another reason why women are unlikely to get pregnant. Being underweight does not affect as many women as being overweight does. It also does not affect the fertility of all women. Some women have a low BMI, don't exercise, and have an adequate diet, which could mean that she is just naturally thin, like me, before I got pregnant. Other women who have a low BMI, who over exercise, or have unhealthy eating patterns are more prone to having difficulties with fertility. Some women are so underweight that they aren't able to have a period, making conception very difficult.

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant and you believe you have a low BMI, consult with a medical professional about this issue. A change in lifestyle can make a difference in being able to conceive.

13 Being Too Old

Does age really matter? Absolutely! As you get older, your body changes. You do not have the same body you did when you were sixteen. Age is an issue many women over the age of 35 face when trying to get pregnant. Unfortunately, fertility rates begin do decline gradually at age 30 and markedly at age 40. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities goes up exponentially as you begin to age as well. Why? Dr Richard J. Paulson says, “The younger a woman is, the younger her eggs are, which means they are less prone to chromosomal mistakes because her eggs are 'fresh.'”

One in seven births is now to women age 35 and older. It is still possible to conceive a baby once you get older, but you have increased risks for health problems, abnormalities and miscarriage. Janet Jackson, for example, welcomed her first child into this world, a son, at age 50. Luckily, she had a stress-free healthy delivery and her son is doing extremely well.

12 Having Genes Work Against You

Unfortunately, having fertility problems can make it extremely difficult to get pregnant. About 10 percent of women in the United States ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Generally speaking, fertility problems are not hereditary. However, some types of fertility problems are hereditary. Endometriosis is one fertility problem in females that can be hereditary. It occurs when the tissue that is usually found only in the lining of the uterus grows somewhere outside of the uterus in the abdominal and pelvic region. It usually has no symptoms but can make intercourse painful.

There are several other fertility problems that are not hereditary, but affect many women. Fertility problems can be due to poor quality of eggs, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, or problems with ovulation.

11 Being Exposed To Pesticides

In general, exposure to pesticides can affect any human being. When you’re at work and have to deal with chemicals, they explain the importance of keeping yourself safe from those chemicals and limitng exposure. Exposure to pollutants, pesticides, and industrial compounds can decrease a women’s ability to get pregnant by up to 29%. We can come in contact to pesticides in our everyday life. It can be in the air, water, bug spray, food, cleaning products, rodent poisons and other chemicals we use daily. Sometimes, there is no way to get away from it. But there are ways you can protect yourself from them, especially if you are trying to get pregnant.

Try using something other than chemicals, such as natural cleaning ingredients. You should be checking to see how much exposure to chemicals you have at work or around the house. If you are surrounded by them and want to get pregnant, start making changes now.

10 Eating Too Many Sweets

In general, eating too many sweets has various negative impact on your body. It increases glucose and insulin levels causing diabetes, obesity and heart disease. If you struggle with your sweet tooth, it is recommended to try and kick the habit before trying to get pregnant. You can put yourself and your baby at risk if you continue to eat too many sweets.

Sweets are one of the most craved foods during pregnancy. But too much refined sugar leads to unnecessary weight gain and complications such as an increased risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, backaches, and dental problems. To help with this issue, there are various substitutions you can consider such as frozen yogurt, fruit pops or fruit with peanut butter.

9 Choosing To Breastfeed

Are you trying to get pregnant again, but having a hard time? Are you still breastfeeding your first baby? There is a myth that you can’t get pregnant while breastfeeding, but at the same time, it’s true! Women who are nursing one child may have difficulties conceiving another one because breastfeeding impacts ovulation. As a mother who breastfeeds, I know it be an amazing experience and a way to truly bond with my baby. I’ve always wondered why I have an irregular menstrual cycle while breastfeeding, so I asked my doctor. Breastfeeding can definitely mess with your ovulation, making it difficult to get pregnant. With that being said, don't think that you can use this as a form of birth control. You can still ovulate while you breastfeed; it is not impossible to get pregnant.

8 Overloading On Caffeine

Who doesn't love caffeine? It’s addictive, in its own special way, and it’s safe for most people to consume in moderation. But sometimes people take it too far. Too many lattes and soda pop may be the reason you’re having trouble getting pregnant. A study shows that having five or more cups of coffee a day may cut a woman’s chances of successful in vitro fertilization by half. Other studies show that caffeine plays no role in fertility. Either way, if you feel you are addicted to caffeine and are having no luck with getting pregnant, try cutting down your caffeine intake to two 8-oz cup of coffee a day. Remember, if you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, a change in lifestyle and diet might be n order.

7 Training Like An Angel

Don’t get me wrong, working out can make you feel amazing, full of energy, and strong. Exercise is important because it decreases the risk of health problems tremendously. But how do you know when you are over-exercising? You get so caught up on when, where, and what your next workout is, that you don't really think about it. Been there, done that!

Exercising vigorously has been known to change the menstrual cycle, making it harder to get pregnant. When you workout, the body is going through various changes and trying to keep up with the intense physical activities. Ladies, if you are struggling with this issue, decrease the amount of time you are heading to the gym and do not over work yourself. You are on the right path of staying healthy and having an amazing pregnancy if you do not over exercise.

6 Having A Thyroid Disorder

Thyroid disorders can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant or can lead to a miscarriage during her first trimester. One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime; it’s much more common in woman than it is in men. When a woman is pregnant, her body needs to produce enough thyroid hormone to support a developing fetus and her own expanded metabolic needs. I’ve met many women who fear getting pregnant because of their thyroid problems. This can be a scary process because of the risk you take on your baby’s health as well as your health. You risk having a miscarriage, developing congestive heart failure, preeclampsia, anemia, and potentially developing a severe form of hyperthyroidism called thyroid storm, which can be life threatening.

5 Being A Carnivore

There has been research done that found that eating too much fat and animal protein has been linked to one-third of infertility cases. This doesn't only affect women; it affects men as well. So ladies, it might be your partner's weekly steak night to blame for why you’re not getting pregnant.

Don’t get me wrong; protein is an important part of your diet. When you are trying to get pregnant, you should be more aware about everything you put in your mouth that can possible affect your fertility. If you love your meats cooks medium or even medium well, you should also know that once you are pregnant, this can make you and your baby sick. Being extremely aware about what you put in your belly is very important.

4 Following A Low Carb Diet

Many women fear gaining those pregnancy pounds and decide to go on a low carb diet. Bottom line, you should not go on a low-carb diet or follow a strict weight-loss diet if you are trying to get pregnant or if you are pregnant. This is because we are not sure if it is safe for you or your baby. A diet without complex carbohydrates is a diet deficient in vital baby-making nutrients. Like I previously mentioned, if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, you may need to have a change in diet. Your main priority should be to get all the best nutrients you can give your body to stay healthy. Low carb diets tend to be high in fat, and restrict the amount of fruits, vegetables, and fiber you eat - denying yourself and your baby the important vitamins and minerals you both need.

3 Not Drinking Enough H2O

Imagine not being able to drink water? You know how much that would affect your body? We all need to be drinking water; it’s important for our daily lives. Studies have found that sperm has the highest difficulty traveling through thick cervical mucus with low water content. As many of us already know, water is more important than food. Low water consumption can lead to dehydration and negative effects upon fertility.

If you're not a big water drinker, there are some tricks you can use to up your intake. Schedule an alarm to go off every few hours so that you remember to drink water throughout the day or use a big water bottle and mark it to show how much water you need to drink by when.

2 Eating Too Many White Carbs

Eating too much white bread goes hand in hand with eating too many sweets. They both cause the blood sugar to rise, which increases the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes and gestational diabetes. White bread can gradually be replaced with 100% whole or wheat bread. Regular pasta can also be switched to whole grain varieties. If white flour products, like bread and pasta, are something you consume often, you may want to make the switch to whole wheat or non-carb options. For example, instead of wrapping your burger in a white bread bun, you could make a lettuce bun.

White bread also has little nutritional value and can cause a woman to gain unnecessary weight. As I mentioned previously, there is no problem gaining weight when you are pregnant. But if you gain too much, it can come with a potential health risk for you and your baby as well.

1 Eating Too Much Soy

Soy is one of the most talked about food items around, especially as it relates to pregnancy. People love to debate whether or not soy has a role in affecting fertility. Some researchers believe that women are not getting pregnant because of eating too much soy. They say that soy is unhealthy and the phytoestrogens in it can negatively affect reproduction, gestation and lactation. Processed soy products also contain aluminum, which can be dangerous. However, new science shows that this might not be the case. In fact, recent articles even claim that soy may help to boost fertility.

Harvard researchers released a study showing that soy can decrease the negative effects of BPA on a pregnancy. The study's authors encouraged women who were trying to conceive through infertility treatments, like IVF, to actually increase their intake of soy. Of course, as the jury is still out on the effects of soy on pregnancy, you should consult your doctor before making a big diet change.

Resources: FitPregnany, BabyHopes, Parenting, Thyroid Awareness, HuffingtonPost