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Obesity and Infertility

Obesity is correlated with decreased fertility and suboptimal pregnancy outcomes.

In women, early onset of obesity favours the development of irregular periods, absence of ovulation and infertility during the reproductive years. Obesity in women can also increase the risk of miscarriage and impair the outcomes of fertility treatments and pregnancy, when the body mass index exceeds 30 kg/m2. Insulin excess and insulin resistance are thought to be the main factors at play here. These adverse effects of obesity are specifically evident in polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS is associated with a 5-10 fold greater risk of type 2 diabetes, with the age of onset being 30 years younger than the general population. In pregnancy there is an increased risk of PCOS patients developing gestational diabetes (type 2 diabetes).

In men, obesity is associated with low testosterone levels. In massively obese individuals, reduced spermatogenesis may favour infertility. Moreover, the frequency of erectile dysfunction increases with increasing weight.

On the positive side, considerable evidence shows that weight loss in PCOS can lead to the return of ovulatory cycles, decreased acne and hairiness and improved fertility. The weight loss has to be at least 5% of body weight, but surprisingly, does not require a return to the normal range.

See Wesley Weight Management Success Story, Helena Schulke’s Channel 10 News Story on ‘Fertility Fears.’

References

  1. Queensland fertility Group
  2. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity: December 2007,volume 14- issue 6

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