How Weight Gain Affects Fertility

The effects of weight gain on fertility have been seen among the present generation due to the prominent problem of obesity. This obesity can be attributed to the stagnant lifestyle and junk eating habits.

In a survey conducted in USA it was found that nearly 50% of the women who were pregnant were obese & that was affecting their pregnancy. Furthermore, the obesity affects the regular menstrual cycle among most women as well. The obesity is responsible for irregularities in menses caused due to irregular ovulation cycle.

Does Age Factor Affect Fertility?

Many fertility treatments are available these days to counter the infertility among women. However, in most cases doctor recommend weight loss before the treatment as it shows increased chances of conception.

Hence, it can be said that effects of weight gain on fertility are too many and in case they are overlooked by the help of fertility treatments, it might affect the delivery and pregnancy as well.

Most Fertile Days To Get Pregnant

Below given are some of the health risks affecting conception…

Conception Problems
Researchers have proven that effects of weight gain on fertility can be seen in nearly 30-50% of women. Also, the number takes a huge jump if the obesity is combined with age factor that is over 30 years of age.

It is not said that a low BMI (Body Mass Index) would guarantee a pregnancy but, women who lose weight to gain a suitable BMI have more likelihood of conceiving than the overweight and obese women.

Ovulatory Dysfunction
Ovulatory dysfunction is another one of the major side effects of weight gain on fertility. Ovulatory dysfunction can be defined as the imbalance or irregularity in the production of eggs in the body or uterus.

It is of two kinds namely, anovulation that is the absence of ovulation and oligovulation that is signified by the irregularity in the ovulation. This dysfunction constitutes nearly 40% of the ovulation related infertility in women and is majorly caused due to obesity or being over weight.

Hormonal Imbalance
The obese women have over production of hormones such as GnRH (Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone) that is responsible for creating uterus lining for the pregnancy.

Also, it triggers the release of other hormones called LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) that are essential for fertility of the egg and in turn for the process of ovulation to occur.

This is also another major reason how weight gain affects fertility, since obese women suffer over production of hormones and underweight women face lower hormones in their body.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is directly related to maximum infertility cases among women. Also, it has a significant correlation with the obesity or excessive weight among women.

PCOS is treatable and is generally countered by a medication known as Glucophage or Metformin that is an insulin resisting drug.

Pregnancy Complications
In certain cases if the woman conceives after infertility treatments, the obesity can also lead to pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes or liver dysfunction that can distressful. Also, the risk of abortion or miscarriage is directly related to obesity in pregnant women.

Hence, the doctors encourage the new mothers to maintain a healthy BMI by eating right and exercising when needed. Obesity can cause premature and C-section birth and in fact is responsible for maximum still births at delivery.