HOW DOES YOUR WEIGHT AFFECT FERTILITY?

21 March 20232′ read4 sections

CONTENTS

Can obesity affect your chances of getting pregnant?
The relationship between obesity and fertility
Can losing weight boost fertility?
Consult our fertility specialists

Can obesity affect your chances of getting pregnant?

Many combinations of conditions cause infertility in women, which often makes diagnosis difficult. Find out more about how body weight can affect your chances of getting pregnant and discover what you can do about it.

The relationship between obesity and fertility

Excess weight can affect your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. Obesity and fertility do not go well together, because obesity can cause hormonal imbalances that affect ovulation. Obesity in women is also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, a common cause of infertility. These conditions can not only make it harder to conceive but can also make it harder to carry a pregnancy to term. Women with a markedly raised body mass index who are trying to conceive are more prone to the risks of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and many more. In addition, maternal obesity can increase the likelihood of the baby becoming obese in adulthood or having other health problems.

Can losing weight boost fertility?

If you have a raised body mass index, losing weight can help with many aspects of your general health, including your chances of conceiving a child. Commit to a healthy fertility diet and a regular exercise programme, not only for your baby's health but also for your own. However, do not put your health at risk by losing too much weight. Being underweight can also have a negative effect on fertility. On average, the ideal BMI for fertility is between 18.5 and 24.9. Every body is different, however, which is why the best target weight for you should always be calculated by a health professional.

Consult our fertility specialists

At the Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine – Dr. Alexandros Traianos, we work to find possible causes of infertility problems and aim to keep women continually informed. Visit our clinic to get answers to all your questions about fertility and start a treatment programme today.

TAGSfertilityfemale infertilitygynecologists ThessalonikiReproductive Medicine SpecialistCenter for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Can obesity affect your chances of getting pregnant?

The relationship between obesity and fertility

Can losing weight boost fertility?

Consult our fertility specialists

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?