Obesity is a complex disorder involving excessive body fat that can have several complications and adverse effects on an individual's health. But did you know it can even affect your fertility? Obesity causes various hormonal changes and causes problems with ovulation. To understand more about this, we spoke to Dr Anusha Rao P, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, who explained the impact of obesity on fertility.
Impact Of Obesity On Fertility
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility is a condition of the male or female reproductive system, which is characterised by the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of consistent and unprotected sexual activity.
As per WHO, overweight is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 kg or more per person, while obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 kg or more per person.
Obese women have higher rates of conception, miscarriage, subfecundity and infertility, and pregnancy problems, as stated in the Journal of the Turkish-German Gyecological Association (TGGF).
Hormonal Imbalance
“Excess body weight can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and ovulatory dysfunction in women. This can make conception a challenge”, added Dr Rao. Also, obesity is associated with insulin resistance, which can further disrupt reproductive hormones.
According to Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology: RB&E, the ‘hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis’ is disturbed in obese women, who also often experience menstruation disruption that results in anovulation and infertility.
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Altered Sperm Quality
Dr Rao added, “In men, obesity is linked to lower testosterone levels and altered sperm quality. Increased body fat may elevate temperatures in the scrotum, negatively affecting sperm production.”
According to the Harvard TH Chan School Of Public Health, it was found that men who were overweight had a 39% higher likelihood of having no sperm in their ejaculate and an 11% higher likelihood of having a poor sperm count. Compared to their counterparts of normal weight, obese men were 81% more likely to generate no sperm and 42% more likely to have a poor sperm count.
Obesity-Induced Health Issues
Not only this, obesity-related conditions like dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and hypertension can also contribute to fertility issues in both men and women.
PCOS
Obesity is often linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women, a condition characterised by hormonal imbalances and ovarian cysts, which can impair fertility.
According to TGGF, approximately 35–60% of PCOS patients are obese and menstrual irregularities, anovulation, and infertility are more common in obese PCOS patients than in non-obese PCOS patients.
Difficulties With IVF
Obese individuals may also face difficulties during assisted reproductive technologies, such as In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
Poor Lifestyle
Lifestyle factors associated with obesity, such as poor diet and sedentary habits, can exacerbate fertility problems.
What You Should Do?
“The chances of conceiving increases if you are nearing a healthy weight. Hence, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, may improve fertility outcomes for overweight individuals”, informed Dr Rao.
Bottomline
Dr Rao concluded, “It's crucial for couples facing fertility challenges due to weight concerns to consult doctors as they need to be provided with personalised advice, addressing underlying issues and recommending lifestyle changes or medical interventions to optimise fertility.”
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is shared by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to not substitute this information with medical treatment and consult your expert for fertility issues.]