Our fertility doctors help patients facing obesity and infertility

Many people in the United States struggle with their weight. More than 2 in 3 U.S. women are overweight or obese. While many of them know the health consequences that can come with being overweight, not as many understand the link between obesity and infertility.

Our San Antonio fertility specialists work with many patients struggling with both their weight and infertility, including those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). By developing a customized treatment plan for each person, our doctors help patients achieve their health and family-building goals.

Understanding the link between obesity and infertility

Problems with ovulation are common in women who are overweight or obese because extra weight can throw off the body’s hormonal balance.

The link between obesity and infertility is clear. When a woman is overweight, her body tends to make too much estrogen because both the ovaries and the extra fat cells make this hormone. Excessive estrogen causes the body to react as if it were taking hormonal birth control. As a result, she may have irregular or even absent periods and ovulation. Without ovulation, pregnancy cannot occur.

Research also shows that being obese can have a negative effect on egg quality, even with IVF success. Additionally, carrying extra body weight can lead to pregnancy complications such as.

• Preeclampsia
• Gestational diabetes
• Need for C-section
• Birth defects

The good news is that just a 5% to 10% reduction in weight can often improve problems with ovulation and reduce the risk of pregnancy complications. Women in the overweight (BMI 25-30) have comparable pregnancy outcomes to women who are normal weight (BMI 19-25), which means your weight doesn’t have to be perfect to have a successful outcome.

Take control with lifestyle modifications and fertility treatments

People don’t have control over many causes of infertility, including diminished ovarian reserve and tubal infertility. However, weight is something that patients have more control over.

To avoid issues with obesity and infertility, it’s helpful to reach a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 25. BMIs over 30 are associated with higher risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects, in addition to many maternal complications.

To make weight changes, our San Antonio fertility specialists recommend certain lifestyle modifications, including:

• Eat a nutrient-dense diet that’s full of whole foods, avoiding processed foods.
• Incorporate at least 30 minutes moderate-intensity activity most (5-6) days of the week
• Take steps to manage stress levels and get enough high-quality sleep.
• Talk to a primary care doctor about medications or surgery for weight loss if lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

Contact us to learn more about support for obesity and infertility.