Weight and Infertility

A healthy body is the key to fertility. Being overweight, or obese, reduces both male and female fertility. In women, being overweight can affect ovulation. Being underweight can also have an impact on fertility, particularly for women, who will not ovulate if they are severely underweight.

BMI is an acronym for body mass index; the test employed by doctors to define if your body weight is within a healthy range.

How Does Weight Affect Female Fertility

Ovulation is substantially impacted in women who are 15% over their healthy body weight or BMI. Pregnancies can be impacted by gestational diabetes, hypertension and preeclampsia. Evaluation for insulin resistance is significant to determine the underlying cause of obesity.

Weight reduction is the best plan before conceiving and may allow for a spontaneous pregnancy in some cases, but should be fully discussed with your IVF specialist in Spain for the safest measures. Anorexia, bulimia or restrictive diets can put women at risk for infertility.

Can Weight Affect Male Fertility

Men who have a BMI of less than 20 or over 25 are at risk of impaired sperm production. Sperm count is a key factor for male factor infertility. Being overweight can increase the risk for issues with sperm count and sperm health, hormone problems, and erectile dysfunction.

Men with excessive abdominal fat can lead to an increase in scrotal temperatures, further obstructing male fertility.

Top Ten Causes of Infertility

  1. Age (Fertility declines starting in a woman’s 20s)
  2. Weight (Being severely under- or overweight)
  3. Issues with the reproductive organs
  4. Sexually transmitted disease (STDs)
  5. Issues with sperm
  6. Genetic problems
  7. Exposure to drugs, alcohol, and caffeine
  8. Endometriosis
  9. Hormonal imbalances
  10. Birth defects

 

IVF Clinics in Spain

Once you click the button you will receive your quote in your email within a few minutes and we will never spam you.