The Impact of Weight on Fertility

Being at a healthy weight is important for so many reasons, one of which is fertility. If you're trying to conceive and you or your partner is over or underweight, it may be harder to conceive. Before you start trying to conceive, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor about your general health and, if necessary, work on a plan to reach and maintain a healthy weight following a specific diet.

Being overweight and its effect on fertility

Being overweight (having a BMI of 25 or more) can interfere with a woman’s fertility by affecting her body’s production of hormones. Having more fat results in producing more estrogen, which in term can interfere with ovulation. In addition, obesity has been linked to a couple of fertility-related problems, including endocrine disorder and poly-cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In total, women who are obese have a significantly harder time conceiving, and being overweight can undermine fertility. For men, being overweight can reduce testosterone levels and result in lower sperm quality.

Being underweight and its effect on fertility

Being underweight (having a BMI under 18.5) can also be a problem for fertility. Like being overweight, being underweight can lead to imbalanced hormone production. Women who are underweight are also frequently not getting sufficient nutrients. This can lead to irregular ovulation or even stop ovulation from happening altogether. When underweight women do become pregnant, a lack of nutrients can cause risks for their pregnancies. Being underweight is also a problem for men. It often leads to a low sperm count, which makes fertilization more difficult.

For both men and women, therefore, it’s important to work towards a healthy weight before trying to conceive. This will not only help you to get pregnant, it will help you to have a healthy pregnancy and live long, healthy lives while raising a family.

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