Relationship between weight and fertility

Some people are unaware of the relationship between obesity and women’s fertility. Did you know there is a link between obesity and chronic illness like diabetes and heart problems?

Hormonal imbalances can increase or reduce your weight, compromising your fertility. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to live a healthy life, especially for women who want to conceive.

Being overweight or underweight can affect women’s fertility. However, it will be easy to conceive if you have a balanced weight and healthy lifestyle. 

What is the good weight of getting pregnant?

Ideal weight for pregnancy is determined by BMI (body mass index). A BMI calculator by age and weight can accurately indicate if you are at the right weight to get pregnant. The only way to calculate your BMI is through height and weight. 

Look at these BMI categories to find out if you have a healthy weight:

Underweight = Below 18.5

Normal weight = ranging between 18.5 and 24.9

Overweight = between 25-29.9

Obese = Anything above BMI 30

Knowing your BMI can help you manage your fertility better. Proper women’s healthcare facilities can be beneficial in this situation.

How does body weight impact fertility in women?

It is true that weight impacts fertility in women, but how? It is important to maintain a healthy weight and that is determined using BMI (body mass index). BMI is calculated based on your height and weight. Some of the causes impacting women’s fertility are: 

Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances are one of the major reasons why overweight and fertility are connected. The fat cells present in women’s bodies produce estrogen, and it increases when the weight goes up. The excess production of estrogen can disrupt your menstrual cycle and ovulation process. Even if the ovulation is in process, the quality of your eggs will be compromised. 

Ovulation issues: There is no conception without ovulation; hence, if ovulation doesn’t take place or delays, it may get difficult to conceive. Women whose BMI index is more than 27 are more likely to have anovulation, a condition where no egg is released. 

Being overweight reduces your chances of getting pregnant. Studies indicate that obese women have a very less chance of conceiving within a year of stopping contraception than women of normal weight (66.4% versus 81.4%).

Can being overweight cause miscarriage?

When you are overweight, it becomes hard to get pregnant and chances of miscarriage also increase. Miscarriages are more common in obese women, which can be emotionally upsetting for couples attempting to conceive. 

Even if you are trying to get pregnant through IVF, you should have a healthy weight. Obesity reduces the rate of pregnancy and live births in women using ART as well as the risk of miscarriage, according to studies. However, weight loss with diet, lifestyle, and other changes can significantly improve the chances of pregnancy.

Tips for a healthier weight before pregnancy

  • Follow a nutrition-rich diet. Eat green leafy vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean meat, milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds. 
  • Do not consume processed or packed foods. Avoid eating biscuits, fatty meats, cakes, pastries, and junk foods. You can eat them in moderation. 
  • Cut back on healthy snacking and eat regular home meals.
  • Half of your plate should be filled with vegetables during lunch and dinner.
  • Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol, and smoking.
  • Reduce your food portion size.
  • Regular exercise is important. Go out for a stroll; take the stairs instead of an elevator. These small things can make a huge difference.
  • If you are working on the computer continuously, get up and move around for a while. Reduce your screen time for other outdoor activities. 
  • Set a goal for weight loss to stay active and motivated throughout.
  • You can even start this plan with your partner to reach your goal faster and improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby.

Underweight and fertility 

Being underweight can also reduce  your chances of . If your body mass index (BMI) is below 18, you are considered underweight. Underweight women are more likely to take more than a year to conceive than women who are a healthy weight.

If you want to conceive but are underweight, get the help of a nutritionist and start your journey of healthy weight gain.

This entry was posted in Women's Health and tagged Hormonal Imbalances, Obesity and women's fertility, OverWeight and Fertility, women healthcare by .