Trying to get pregnant? Spend eight hours in bed and keep the lights off

Late nights and artificial light can damage a woman's fertility, a study has warned.

New research has revealed that darkness plays a key role in a woman's chance of conception, The Daily Mail reports.

This is because the hormone melatonin - which protects a woman's eggs from stress - is produced in the dark.

As a result, 'every time you turn on the light at night, this turns down the production of melatonin,'  researcher Russel Reiter told LiveScience.

Instead, women trying to become pregnant should spend eight hours a night in darkness, advises Professor Reiter, of the University of Texas.

And to get maximum melatonin production, ensure no outside light is coming into the room, leave the main light switched off, and avoid light from the TV and electronic devices.

Night-lights should be red or yellow - not white or blue - as this type of light can disturb the body clock, adds Professor Reiter. 

Pregnant women should follow the same advice, adds Professor Reiter - particularly in the final trimester.

This is because exposure to light can lead to the baby's brain not getting enough melatonin to regulate its body clock - potentially leading to health problems later in life.

It may be linked to ADHD or autism spectrum disorders in young children.

Other recent research has suggested going on the pill could damage a woman’s future fertility - at least temporarily.

Researchers found that the powerful hormones can ‘age’ the reproductive system, reducing the production of eggs to levels seen in older women, months after coming off the contraceptive.

While scientists do not think the phenomenon is permanent, they advise that a woman’s ‘biological clock’ should be measured three months after finishing taking the pill.

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