What is obesity?
We should calculate BMI with height and weight of a women. According to guidelines, the
BMI > kg/m2 is considered overweight and BMI > kg/m2 is considered obese.
BMI > kg/m2 is considered overweight and BMI > kg/m2 is considered obese.
How can obesity affect fertility?
Obesity can affect infertility from first step till the final stages of pregnancy. It can cause lack
of ovulation by changing hormone profile due to peripheral conversion or aromatization by body
fat. This in turn can cause hormone imbalance at the level of pituitary.
of ovulation by changing hormone profile due to peripheral conversion or aromatization by body
fat. This in turn can cause hormone imbalance at the level of pituitary.
Not only ovulation is affected but also the egg quality, sperm quality in male partner is affected.
Hence even in IVF or test tube treatments the quality of oocytes are affected. In all levels there
is effect of obesity from implantation to growth, hence the pregnancy rates are lower and
miscarriage rates are higher. Incidence of HT ( hypertension) , DM ( Diabetes) ,
IUGR ( Intra Uterine Growth Restriction) are higher in continuing pregnancy.
Hence even in IVF or test tube treatments the quality of oocytes are affected. In all levels there
is effect of obesity from implantation to growth, hence the pregnancy rates are lower and
miscarriage rates are higher. Incidence of HT ( hypertension) , DM ( Diabetes) ,
IUGR ( Intra Uterine Growth Restriction) are higher in continuing pregnancy.
So when to plan to pregnancy, should we have to wait till ideal body weight?
If newly married or very young with no complications can take 6 months to slowly reduce the
body weight by proper diet counselling and exercise programs. But when a patient is already
having infertility, married for longer durations , age is more than 35 years, then waiting for
6 months to 1 year is not feasible and not worth wasting the time. For these patients, going
ahead after shorter break like 3 months and reducing body weight of upto 10 % or minimum
5 % is ideal as per guidelines. Prefect blood sugar and Hypertension control is mandatory.
body weight by proper diet counselling and exercise programs. But when a patient is already
having infertility, married for longer durations , age is more than 35 years, then waiting for
6 months to 1 year is not feasible and not worth wasting the time. For these patients, going
ahead after shorter break like 3 months and reducing body weight of upto 10 % or minimum
5 % is ideal as per guidelines. Prefect blood sugar and Hypertension control is mandatory.
Enjoy a healthy pregnancy and motherhood with our health tips!