Does Losing Weight Improve Fertility?

Infertility is disheartening for those who are trying to start a family. No matter how hard you try, you are left with empty hands. But you have to be sad; modern technology has brought several solutions for you.

But think, what can be the issue, is it your weight? Most of the couples don’t even know how their weight is restricting them from stating their family. Being under as well as overweight dedicatedly impacts your fertility. Not everyone can benefit from losing weight in unexplained infertility, but losing weight can help in a number of ways, which increases the chances of getting pregnant. Although there is no guarantee, it works as an assistant in the process of improving fertility.

Impact of obesity on fertility

In women:

• Obesity directly causes hormonal imbalance, which decreases the quality of egg quality with increased chromosomal abnormalities.
• Women’s bodies signal pathways to prepare the uterus during the period cycle. However, obesity alters the cellular environment and gene expression of the endometrium, causing hormonal issues and making it less receptive to embryo implantation.
• Obese women face more challenges with pregnancy than non-obese women. High blood pressure, preeclampsia, stillbirth, miscarriage, and gestational diabetes are the issues that are linked to obesity.
• The major risk of being overweight is PCOS. Even studies indicated that obesity causes issues with ovulation, which impacts their ability to conceive.
• Even if you are trying fertility treatment, your body will become less responsive to the treatment due to your weight.
• Even after obesity, you get pregnant; there are high chances that complications in pregnancy can happen, like high cholesterol, heart defects, defects in spina bifida (neural tube), and anencephaly (where a child’s brain and skills don’t develop fully).

In men:

• It is not just for women, but men also face issues with fertility. Just like women, due to hormonal imbalance, their testosterone levels drop and increase estrogen levels. This has the ability to interfere with sperm production. Also, obese men tend to have a higher body temperature than non-obese, and fat around groins can increase the temperature around the testicular.
• Moreover, excess fat increases oxidative stress in the body, which impairs DNA and the quality of sperm. Fat also increases the scrotal temperature, which impairs spermatogenesis, the production of sperm.

 Let’s under how losing weight actually works in improving changes in fertility.

Significant impacts of reduced weight on fertility

Women over 36 years of age or older do not get the same results in favor of younger women. However, they are undoubtedly at high risk of infertility due to weight. It is time to change your pattern of living. Owing to the higher prevalence of obesity, here are some of the simple techniques to achieve a healthy pregnancy.

– Overweight women face difficulty in producing reproductive hormones to regulate menstrual cycle, ovulation, holding pregnancy, etc. Because of this, progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormones decrease, which occurs at a higher estradiol level alongside. This is where hormonal imbalance started. At the same time, obese women tend to have higher estradiol levels than non-obese women. But by reducing weight, a woman can reverse this situation and improve their period cycle.

– By reducing weight, you can reduce the inflammation in the ovaries, improve follicular fluid composition and oocyte maturation, and enhance the chances of fertilization along with embryo development.

– By losing weight, women can reduce adipose tissues, and over time, ovulation will improve, reduces. In men, sperm production will improve as your testosterone level will be balanced.

– Oxidative stress will be reduced, making it an improvement in egg cells and quality.  Weight loss improves antioxidant levels (prevents damaging egg cells), reduces inflammation (lowers free radicals), enhances mitochondrial function (reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS)), and due to low ROS, insulin sensitivity also becomes better.

What should I do?

With simple interventions and approaches, it is possible to reduce the chances of infertility.

• Physical activity plays a major role in preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Although frequency and intensity also impact it, several studies have indicated that regular physical activity improves fertility. Make sure you don’t set false and unrealistic weight goals.
• Your diet should include protein, healthy fat, iron, fiber, omega-3, and essential vitamins. Start cutting out on discretionary foods like biscuits, pastries, cakes, chips, and fast food. If you want, eat them in limited quantities.
• Limit your screen time, as this might limit your activity time and can also increase your eating habits because most people prefer to eat something while watching their phone or television.
• Stress is also a key point that increases fat disposition in the body, as it increases cortisol levels, which makes it hard for the body to reduce weight. Make sure to practice stress management techniques like medication.
• If you are dealing with medical challenges and want to reduce weight, it is crucial to consult a dietician or an expert. They will guide you to balance your lifestyle, hormones, and health issues.

Concluding Note

Aveya Fertility Center recognizes that no one-size-fit strategy applies to all. Every person is dealing with a different situation, and this requires personalized treatment options. Obesity is not just bad for your mental health; it significantly impacts your physical health. It impacts egg quality and causes medical conditions like PCOS, etc. If you are planning or want to have a baby in the future, then you should consult a professional. Their expertise and professional experience can bring out amazing changes in your life. But the question is whom to consult.

Aveya Fertility Center is one of the renowned clinics that are helping people to get their desired results. From IVF to egg freezing or improving health, they are treating their patients remarkably.

For more information, click here, Aveya.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Arzoo Chadha