Clinical trials confirm that excessive body weight is a factor that significantly increases the risk of fertility disorders. Irregular ovulation in women and a decrease in the quality of sperm produced in men - these are the most common fertility disorders caused by obesity.
The most common method of determining the correct weight is the body mass index (BMI). This factor can be estimated using a simple equation - the weight in kilograms should be divided by the square of the height in meters. Obesity is diagnosed when the result of the action is equal to or higher than 30.
Impact of obesity on female fertility
Too much body weight can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting the course of the menstrual cycle. It can be disturbed, among others carbohydrate metabolism, which is responsible for the proper functioning of the ovaries. This leads to, among other things, irregular ovulation, the occurrence of anovulatory cycles, amenorrhea, the formation of cysts on the ovaries and increased testosterone production. Obesity also increases the risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome - a condition that is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
Obesity-related complications during pregnancy
Excess body fat is associated not only with a reduced probability of conception, but also an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and after childbirth. Obese women are at a much greater risk of developing conditions such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or blood clotting disorders. Severely overweight women also have an increased risk of needing a caesarean section or having to artificially induce labor. The mother's obesity may also have an impact on the child's he alth. The highest percentage of miscarriages and stillbirths is recorded in the case of women whose BMI exceeds 30.
Impact of obesity on male fertility
Clinical studies confirm the relationship between obesity and the quality of the sperm produced. The sperm of men with a BMI over 30 contains a lower concentration of sperm and, in addition, they are less mobile than the sperm produced in the bodies of people withoptimal body weight. For comparison, the semen of a man with a normal BMI contains an average of 18.6 million motile sperm, while the semen of an obese man contains about 0.7 million sperm capable of free movement. Decreased fertility is the result of a hormonal imbalance. In adipose tissue, testosterone is converted into estrogens. Therefore, in men with obesity, the proportion between male and female hormones is disturbed. This can have a negative effect on sperm production, libido, and sexual performance. In addition, excessive body weight in men causes a slight increase in testicular temperature, which may affect the sperm production process. Adequate testicular temperature is an essential element in the production of he althy sperm.
Does obesity cause permanent fertility problems?
As shown by clinical trials, the reduction of fertility in obese people is a reversible process. It is estimated that a loss of 5 percent. body weight can contribute to a significant increase in the frequency of ovulatory cycles, and thus restore the regularity of menstruation. Losing weight can also improve sperm parameters.
Author: Katarzyna Sadowska, SpecialistKlikMedik online clinic
ImportantPoradnikzdrowie.pl supports safe treatment and a dignified life of people suffering from obesity. This article does not contain discriminatory and stigmatizing content of people suffering from obesity.