Fitness and Fertility
Find out more about natural fertility at Genea Holistic or call us on 1300 367 198
Being overweight can affect fertility in both women and men.
Fortunately these effects can be reversed with relatively modest weight
loss through a combination of diet and exercise.
What effect does being overweight have on fertility in women?
Being overweight often affects fertility in women due to a lack of
ovulation and other more subtle metabolic effects. The success of
assisted reproductive techniques is also reduced in overweight women
with IVF success rates reduced by as much as 25% in obese patients and
50% in very obese patients. Women affected by obesity are also at
greater risk of pregnancycomplications including pregnancy loss
(miscarriage). The rate of recurrent miscarriage increases 4-fold in
obese women.
What effect does being overweight have on fertility in men?
Being overweight also affects fertility in men. A reduction in
certain hormone levels reduces testosterone and sperm production, so
that obese men may have sperm counts up to 50% lower than men of normal
weight. This can reduce natural conception rates by up to 50% in couples
where the male partner is obese. Obese men may also have deformities in
the DNA of their sperm and are twice as likely to suffer from erectile
dysfunction than men of normal weight.
Can being overweight affect my chances of getting pregnant?
Yes. Ovulatory disorders are the leading cause of female infertility,
resulting in the disruption of hormones, menstrual cycles and
conception. Approximately 15% of such disorders are linked to weight
disorders, mainly being overweight and obese.
Can’t I simply do IVF?
No. The success rate of assisted reproductive techniques is reduced
in overweight women. IVF success rates may be reduced by as much as 25%
in obese patients and 50% in very obese patients. Women affected by
obesity are also at a greater risk for pregnancy complications. Women
who do not treat their obesity by altering their diet and exercise
programs before becoming pregnant are also at a greater risk of
pregnancy loss (miscarriage). The rate of recurrent miscarriage
increases 4-fold in obese women.
What can I do to have a baby if I am overweight?
Fortunately fertility returns with a relatively modest degree of
weight loss from diet and exercise. Around 90% of obese women will
resume ovulation if they lose >5% of their pre-treatment weight and
30% will conceive. In very obese women this is a higher pregnancy rate
than can be expected from a single IVF cycle, so this is incredibly
encouraging for obese women wishing to have children.
A comprehensive support program to achieve weight loss
Genea Holistic's Fertility Fit®
is a medically sound program for weight loss. A fertility specialist
will take your medical history, oversee the program and refer you for
testing to discover the levels of your infertility. An accredited
dietitian creates a nutritional map for you and will guide you in meal
planning. Our exercise coach runs a sensitive and supportive program for
women embarking on a weight loss journey to get pregnant. It involves a
mix of personal goal setting and group activities. This approach has
had some great successes, with some women losing over 40kg and more than
30% conceiving naturally. With good support patients motivated by a
wish to have a baby usually do very well.
Male infertility
Being overweight also has an effect on fertility in men, but this
seems to be more modest than the effect on women’s fertility. A
reduction in the level of certain hormones in obese men reduces
testosterone and sperm production, so that obese men may have sperm
counts up to 50% lower than men of normal weight. This can reduce
conception rates by up to 50% in couples where the male partner is
obese. Increased body fat and an inactive lifestyle can raise the
temperature in the testicles, which can further interfere with sperm
production. Obese men may also have deformities in the DNA of their
sperm and are twice as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than
men of normal weight.