The effect of Being overweight or underweight on ovulation

It's no surprise to anyone in Nigeria , U.S. and in the world at large that many of us struggle to maintain a healthy weight, especially as we get older. But let's put aside the social and cultural issues. Weight problems

are not just bad for your health, they are also linked with infertility. Being over- or underweight can make it harder for you to get pregnant.

Obesity can affect fertility

Obviously, all overweight women are not infertile. But overweight women do face increased risks for fertility problems compared to those women

who maintain a healthy weight. 

Here are five ways that weight problems can affect your health and your fertility.

Being overweight can:

1. Increase your chances of having irregular or absent periods

2. Raise your risk of miscarriage

3. Cause your body to produce too much

estrogen, which can make it harder to get pregnant

4. Be linked with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , a major contributor to infertility in women

5. Increase the chances of having complications during infertility treatments

Also, assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) are not as successful for obese women as they are for

women who are at an ideal fertility weight.

Underweight women also at risk

Now you know that obesity can be linked with infertility - but did you know that being too thin

can also make it harder to conceive? Being underweight, or having a very low percent of body fat, can be seriously risky for women trying to conceive.

Women who are underweight may have issues with their hormone levels, like having very low estrogen levels. They may also experience irregular or absent periods ( anovulation), which

could make it harder to conceive.

Healthy fertility weight

Ask your doctor to help you find your BMI and identify your ideal fertility weight. If your ideal weight seems out of reach, work with your doctor to design a healthy diet and lifestyle plan.

If you are overweight or obese, maintain hope and discuss weight loss options with your doctor. At least one study reports that obese women with ovulation problems showed improved fertility after weight loss.

If you are underweight and fertility problems persist, talk to your doctor and identify a plan to help you achieve your ideal fertility weight.

If you are already at a healthy weight, keep doing what you're doing. Continue to make good food choices and exercise regularly to maintain good health.

Sources:

• CDC: Infertility: A Public Health Focus on Infertility Prevention, Detection, and

Management.

• American Pregnancy Association: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
• American Society of Reproductive Medicine: Weight and Fertility: Patient's Fact Sheet.
• Obesity and Reproduction. What am I doing that can cause infertility? Optimizing Natural Fertility.

PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE