New Year! New You? Many people start off the year with several resolutions. A common theme on a resolution list is eating right and exercising more with losing weight as the ultimate goal. January has officially and appropriately been named ‘National Weight Loss Awareness’ month, and while many of us would like to improve our appearance and overall health by losing weight, what about those who are also considering starting a family? Does being at a healthy weight make a difference? Is there a connection between weight loss and fertility?
Many factors can affect a woman’s fertility. Some are largely out of a woman’s control, but others can be managed effectively to improve fertility. Research has shown that obesity is linked to a number of health concerns, including fertility and reproductive health.1 So how does being overweight negatively affect fertility?
- Obesity Can Prevent Ovulation - fat cells release the hormone estrogen into the body. As a woman gains weight, the number of fat cells increase therefore releasing larger than normal amounts of estrogen into the body. Too much natural estrogen can cause the body to react as if the patient is taking birth control or is already pregnant. This can prevent the patient from ovulating and/or menstruating regularly.
- Obesity Increases PCOS Risk - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that causes fluid-filled cysts to form on the ovaries, often creating reproductive dysfunction. PCOS is one of the most common reasons for chronic infertility in women.
- Obesity Inhibits Treatment Success - obesity may lower the chances of getting pregnant with certain fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
A patient has a greater chance of getting pregnant, staying pregnant, and having a healthy baby if they are at a healthy weight. Being overweight affects more than just fertility as it is also linked to several pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. The experts at Repromed Fertility are here to guide patients throughout every step of their fertility journey! Dr. Pinto will work with patients to help them reach their goal of motherhood, safely and effectively. Reach out to our office today!
Dr. Anil Pinto is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Pinto has a special interest in the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), recurrent pregnancy loss, and advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF.