Does weight affect fertility?

 

Weight is an important consideration for both women and men in the preconception period. If you’re significantly overweight or underweight this can cause your body to produce more or less of the hormones that regulate ovulation in women and disrupt sperm production in men, which can be consulted from the best fertility clinic in Delhi.

 

Weight gain in some women can be an indicator of a hormonal imbalance caused by a condition known as “Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) “ – which affects both your ability to lose weight and disrupt regular ovulation. However, not all women with PCOS are overweight.

One of the easiest ways to determine if you are underweight or overweight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). There are many tables available to evaluate that.

 

What is a normal BMI?

A BMI between 19 and 24 is considered normal, and less than 19 is considered underweight. A BMI between 25 to 29 is considered overweight and greater than 30 places you in the category of obese. Many underweight, overweight and obese women have no problem getting pregnant. But others will have problems conceiving, most often due to ovulation problems.

 

A BMI of 18.5 or less (underweight) often causes irregular menstrual cycles and may cause ovulation to stop altogether. A BMI of 17.5 or less could indicate an eating disorder. Women with less than normal BMI should work with their nutritionists to understand the cause of this situation and develop strategies to rectify it.

 

However, even obese women with normal ovulation cycles have lower pregnancy rates than normal-weight women, So ovulation isn’t the only issue. A visit to IVF Doctor in Delhi before becoming pregnant can help identify other disorders related to obesity that impact pregnancy such as thyroid disease, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

 

The result of a healthy lifestyle may not always be weight loss. Muscle buildup( which is encouraged) can increase body weight. Striving to lose weight by following extreme diets is not sustainable and may be detrimental to a healthy pregnancy. Hence the focus should be on lifestyle modification not specifically on weight loss.

 

PCOS and Infertility

PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is a hormonal condition that affects up to one in five women of reproductive age and can impact your ability to lose weight and ovulate. The weight gain then contributes to increased insulin levels, creating a self-perpetuating cycle.

 

Here are some common symptoms of PCOS.

 

• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
• Increased hair growth.
• Irregular period cycle.
• Infertility

What if we are experiencing trouble becoming pregnant?

If you’re experiencing a delay in falling pregnant, a fertility specialist can help by offering a comprehensive medical assessment including understanding your medical history and conducting further tests.

 

For the female, this might include an ultrasound scan to determine if a condition such as PCOS may be affecting her ability to conceive. If you are diagnosed with PCOS there are dedicated PCOS clinics that can help you manage non-fertility-related symptoms.

 

Women with PCOS may require additional treatment to get pregnant including medications to decrease insulin resistance. These women should seek the assistance of reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialists. For more information about PCOS engage with the best infertility center in Delhi.

Source:- https://shivamivfcentredelhi.com/blog-details/does-weight-affect-fertility-