Everyone is aware that being obese can increase the risk of developing health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc. But many people do not know that being overweight also has an impact on their fertility. Obesity can decrease your fertility and the chances of becoming pregnant also decrease.
If you are planning for pregnancy, it is important to visit your doctor irrespective of your weight. In this way, you can ensure that you are healthy enough and will help you know about the risks you may face during pregnancy.
Connection Between Obesity and Female Fertility
Your menstrual cycle is regulated by a proper hormonal balance. If you are overweight, you will have excess amounts of leptin. Leptin is produced by the fatty tissues and it can disrupt the hormonal balance. This can further lead to irregular periods. Apart from this, obesity can also lead to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of infertility in women.
The chances of becoming pregnant with assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF, and ICSI also become difficult if you are obese.
Do Risks Vary Based on Where I Carry Extra Weight?
The answer is a big yes. If you have central obesity, which means the fat around the belly, you have a greater risk of developing ovulation issues. This can further have an impact on your pregnancy. People who carry weight on their lower body have a low risk of fertility issues.
Obesity and Male Fertility
Not only a woman’s fertility, but being overweight can also have an impact on a male’s fertility. This can be due to the following reasons:
- Being obese can increase a male’s body temperature, mainly near the scrotum
- It can also lead to hormonal imbalances. Men who are obese have higher levels of estrogen and reduced levels of androgens, testosterone, and inhibin
- The sperm quality, count, and motility also get affected with overweight
- Obesity can also lead to sexual dysfunction
Men who are overweight needs to reduce their weight to increase the quality and quantity of sperm. It takes at least 3 months to develop sperm and maintaining a healthy weight 3 months before conception can be of great help.
What is the Ideal Weight for Consumption?
The ideal weight required for conception varies based on your height. Body Mass Index (BMI) is the term used to determine whether you are overweight or underweight. BMI calculates your body fat based on your height and weight. If your BMI ranges from 25 to 29, then you are considered as overweight. BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered as a healthy BMI.
However, the healthy BMI for pregnancy may not be the same for everyone. For instance, a woman with a normal BMI may have a hormonal imbalance. Whereas, a woman with a high BMI can ovulate every month and can have regular periods.
How Does Obesity Affects Pregnancy Health?
Being overweight or gaining too much weight during pregnancy can lead to pregnancy complications such as:
- Miscarriages
- Caesarean birth
- Stillbirth
- Birth defects
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
How Can I Lose Weight to Increase My Fertility?
Having said that obesity can affect your fertility, and losing weight can improve your fertility to a great extent. Though losing weight seems to be a simple thing, but it is not. The following tips can help you lose weight:
- Follow a healthy diet
- Avoid junk food
- Avoid sitting for a longer duration by taking regular breaks
- Practise regular exercise such as walking, etc.
- Set a weight goal to keep you motivated every day
Making the above lifestyle changes can improve your overall health even if they do not reduce your weight. However, ovulation issues and sperm quality get better by losing weight.
Along with this, there are several fertility treatments such as IVF and ICSI for people who have ovulation and sperm problems. You can check with your doctor about the right treatments for you.
Need Help to Become Pregnant? Visit Angels Fertility Today
If you are obese and have been planning for pregnancy, meeting doctors at Angels Fertility can help you succeed. Angels Fertility is one of the best fertility centers in Hyderabad, treating a wide range of fertility issues in men and women. Our treatment is customized based on your condition, and your goals. If the doctor determines that being overweight is stopping you from getting pregnant, the treatment focuses on losing weight. If losing weight did not help you conceive, then we would suggest fertility treatments to make your wish come true. If you wish to talk to our doctors, give us a call.