Conceiving a child is a crucial step for parents. It is advisable to undergo a medical examination before this, but many, alas, do not do it. It is so arranged by nature that women, a priori, are prone to accumulating adipose tissue more than men. And many women, especially those who are giving birth, have questions:
- Does obesity affect conception?
- How to get rid of excess weight for successful conception?
We should start with what actual changes occur in a woman’s body as a result of overweight bodies?
Consequences of obesity for the female body, conception and excess weight
Firstly, from excess weight in women it often causes changes in hormonal levels. The development of insulin resistance, disrupts the level female hormones in the body, which negatively affects the maturation of eggs and, as a consequence, the reproductive function of a woman. According to some studies, insulin resistance occurs in 84% of people with high levels of fats (triglycerides) in the blood.
On the other hand, the same reason can cause an increase in the level of male hormones, in particular testosterone. Increasing its level also negatively affects the maturation of eggs. In addition, adipose tissues tend to accumulate, in addition to testosterone, andostenoids, estrone, and progesterone in concentrations that are several times higher than the normal concentration of these hormones in the blood.
Already these possible consequences excess weight allow us to answer the question “does obesity affect conception” in the affirmative - yes, it does and significantly. But that's not all. The scale arrow in the “red zone” is also
- increased cholesterol levels;
- changes in insulin resistance contributing to hyperinsulism.
- U overweight women Disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary system are also possible. This can lead to the development of hyperprolactinemia and an increase in the level of the hormone prolactin in the blood, which, in turn, affects the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
- polycystic ovary syndrome is also often an invariable companion to obesity;
- fat deposits in the abdominal area (including internal) cause impaired blood flow in the abdominal area and, as a consequence, insufficient blood supply to the pelvic organs;
- as a result of hormonal imbalances, uterine endometriosis, fibroids, etc. can develop.
Of particular note is the danger of developing obesity during puberty in girls. This can have serious consequences in the future even after the root cause has been eliminated.
Conclusion. Does excess weight affect conception?
Excess weight in a woman, even from an aesthetic point of view, is already a reason to consult a nutritionist. But if you have decided to conceive a child, then consulting a doctor in this case is simply mandatory. In addition to the above reasons, we should not forget that obesity and accompanying hormonal imbalances can not only become an obstacle to conception, but also result in very serious problems when carrying a child.
Excess weight cannot directly affect conception itself, but it can affect the processes of egg formation and implantation processes in a woman’s body, as well as the quality of sperm in men, and this effect is not positive. A large number of specialists deal with the problems of conception in obese people, because this disease is increasingly spreading throughout the world and entails an increase in many concomitant pathologies that significantly worsen the quality of life of patients.
Any significant fluctuations in weight, both up and down, affect the ability to conceive and bear a child normally. For a man, body weight indicators are also important not only because of possible problems with potency due to excess weight, but also because of disturbances in the quality of seminal fluid. Many factors explain fertility problems in people suffering from infertility, and normalizing weight alone can relieve more problems.
Determining whether a person is obese is usually not difficult. However, it is better if a specialist deals with this issue, since people often evaluate themselves biasedly and subjectively, underestimating or overestimating the percentage of excess weight. There are no clear ideal weight figures for everyone; this indicator is individual and depends on other parameters of the body.
Most often, when determining the optimal weight, including for conception, experts use the body mass index. This indicator is determined quite simply: you need to calculate your height in centimeters squared and divide your body weight in kilograms by the resulting figure. There is a gradation of body mass index values indicating the probable degree of obesity or underweight.
In addition to this method, there are also special devices that can determine the fluid content in the body, the percentage of fat and muscle tissue and their ratio. This is necessary because for the same weight and height, and therefore the same body mass index, two different people can have different amounts of fat tissue. For example, one person will have excess body weight due to fat deposits, while another will have it due to pronounced muscle development. In the first case, a diagnosis of obesity will be established, in the second, a high body mass index will only indicate a significant degree of muscle tissue development and the body will maintain normal proportions.
The ideal or optimal weight for conceiving a child should be in the range of normal body mass index values. Deviation from these indicators may cause failures when planning a pregnancy. Thus, normal values are in the range from 18.5 to 30. Lower calculation results indicate a lack of body weight of varying degrees of severity, which necessarily requires correction. A child with this condition may develop poorly in utero because he does not receive the amount of nutrients he needs. Body mass index values greater than 30 indicate the development of incipient obesity (so-called pre-obesity) or obesity of varying degrees, from mild to severe morbid.
If the body mass index values are borderline, or slightly higher than normal, this may indicate not only the presence of obesity, but also edema, and may also be an individual feature of the body. To exclude possible overdiagnosis of obesity, additional studies are being carried out, including instrumental and lab tests. Thus, the norm for the percentage of fatty tissue in the body that does not interfere with conception is in the range from 17 to 25%. Thus, even if the body mass index exceeds the norm, but the percentage of body fat is not more than 25, losing weight is not necessary for a normal pregnancy.
Today there are many formulas and proprietary methods for calculating ideal weight depending on age, gender, individual characteristics body. In some cases, their use is necessary, since generally accepted methods are averaged for the general population and are not always suitable for individual assessment of the patient’s health status. Correct use of these methods and interpretation of the results is possible only by a specialist, so you should not independently analyze the examination results. An individual approach to each patient allows us to most effectively assess the degree of excess weight problems and develop optimal tactics for quickly and gently achieving ideal body weight to make conception possible.
On the way to achieving the optimal weight for conception, you should not go to extremes. For example, women often begin to completely avoid foods containing lipids. This is fundamentally wrong, since the synthesis of many hormones and biologically active substances requires the products of fat metabolism, including cholesterol. The synthesis of female sex hormones in the required quantities without this condition is impossible, so the condition of the reproductive system will only worsen on such a diet. The diet must include eggs, nuts, and various vegetable oils.
When the patient reaches a weight that has been determined for her as optimal for pregnancy and bearing a baby, it is also necessary to maintain this weight at the achieved level. This will help you discipline yourself, form correct eating behavior, accustom yourself to constant sufficient physical activity. This lifestyle will allow you to feel better, be in good shape, easily get pregnant and carry your pregnancy to term as easily as possible, without complications. Achieving an optimal weight also helps to avoid a large number of diseases that aggravate obesity, and eliminate existing health problems whenever possible.
During the entire pregnancy, a woman should normally gain no more than 12 kg, provided that her body weight was normal for her before pregnancy. If before pregnancy the patient was overweight and was diagnosed with obesity, then she is recommended to gain no more than 8 kg during pregnancy so as not to cause complications for the body associated with the combination of gestation and excess weight.
In addition, obese pregnant women need more careful monitoring of their condition and the condition of the intrauterine fetus. It is mandatory to monitor blood and urine glucose levels, as well as at least a two-time glucose tolerance test, which is carried out at certain times in accordance with the current protocol for the management of pregnancy in women at high risk of developing diabetes, which includes obese patients.
Pregnant women are given recommendations on food intake, principles of creating their diet, and lifestyle in general. If all recommendations are followed, the course of pregnancy may not be marred by complications, and the birth will be normal and physiological.
Thus, excess weight can affect conception only when an excess of adipose tissue is proven, since it is obesity that can lead to infertility.
According to most scientists, the most favorable conditions for conception and successful pregnancy are created when a woman has normal body weight.
Lack of weight, as well as its excess, can negatively affect female reproductive function, and given the fact that throughout the world there is a tendency to increase the number of pregnancies as a result of in vitro fertilization, there is a good reason for a detailed examination.
As you know, not every birth that occurs as a result of IVF or naturally ends in delivery. A variety of factors can influence its unfavorable outcome, including a woman’s overweight or underweight. As a result of the scientific research It was possible to find out that body weight plays a special role precisely at . Moreover, if overweight women have a chance of successfully becoming pregnant and giving birth healthy child are reduced by about half, then women with very low body weight are at much greater risk. However, overweight pregnant women are at risk for developing complications during pregnancy, during childbirth and for some time after.
During the IVF procedure, the woman receives the necessary sex hormones with medication, but the risk of miscarriage may be due to the fact that the uterus is unprepared for pregnancy. Difficulties may also arise when a fertilized egg is implanted into it.
Overweight and pregnancy
If a woman is overweight, conceiving may also be difficult. Obesity is often accompanied by the development of insulin resistance, which leads to hormonal imbalances in the female body. Of course, any hormonal imbalance can negatively affect reproductive function.
According to statistics, overweight women experience more difficulties during pregnancy and also have a lower chance of successful delivery and the birth of a healthy baby. In addition, in the course of research, scientists have found that obese women are more likely to experience premature birth.
How is optimal body weight calculated?
Optimal weight is calculated using the so-called body mass index, which depends on a person’s height and weight. Indicators of absolutely normal and healthy weight are between 18.5 and 25. Accordingly, an index value below this norm will indicate underweight, and above - overweight. Neither overweight nor underweight are absolute contraindications to IVF, but certain measures may need to be taken to increase the chances of success.
As a rule, we can talk about serious risks during conception if the body mass index of a woman preparing to become a mother is 30 or higher. With, as well as natural conception, it makes sense to lose weight, which will significantly increase the chances of a successful pregnancy outcome. Moreover, it is worth understanding that losing weight in this case cannot be done with the help of any extreme diets. Ideally, you should consult with a qualified nutritionist who will give competent advice not only on losing weight, but also on gaining weight, if necessary.
Weight gain during pregnancy
Weight gain during pregnancy always depends on the woman’s previous weight. Of course, part of the weight is gained due to the developing fetus and amniotic fluid, the rest is the woman's fat deposits, which are necessary to conserve energy for subsequent breastfeeding.
It is difficult to identify any specific recommendations regarding the issue of weight gain during pregnancy. We can say that it is advisable for overweight women to try to gain as little as possible, while thin expectant mothers can practically not limit themselves and gain about 13-18 kilograms. Women with average weight should stick to the figure of 11-16 kilograms. It is very important that a woman’s body receives a sufficient amount of essential nutrients throughout pregnancy, therefore, regarding proper nutrition It is better to consult a specialist.
Additional Information
Pregnancy is perhaps the most valid reason to think about your own weight. Because usually, after watching enough TV programs, we experience different complexes: some consider themselves too fat, others consider themselves unbearably thin.
When you are planning to get pregnant, it is better not to listen to television advisers. Only common sense and doctor's advice. If the doctor said that for a successful pregnancy we need to go on a slight diet, we obey and sit down. On a diet, of course. If he is convinced that you are too thin to conceive, and your reproductive organs are small to give birth to a child, we carry out prevention. But Mother Nature turns out to be wiser than us. Among my friends there were very curvy girls and very elegant ones - both of them have been happy mothers of daughters and sons for several years now. So it's time to get upset ahead of schedule to nothing. Let's get ready.
What is the ideal weight to conceive?
There is an interesting method for determining weight. The index will help determine the optimal weight, or rather the ratio of height and weight. And it’s easy to calculate it using the formula: body weight (kg) needs to be divided by the square of your height in meters. Do you remember from mathematics? A square, the second power, is a number multiplied by itself. If the index value is in the range of 25-29 units, the doctor is right: it’s time to go on a diet. There is a slight excess weight. Obesity can be stated only for those whose index exceeds 30. For those mothers who consider themselves thin, we inform you: when the weight index is 18.5 - 24, the weight is considered normal. And, in principle, there should be no problems with conceiving and bearing a child.Ideal weight according to WHO
In general, the above methodology is very similar to that proposed by the World Health Organization. According to their method, if the index is less than 16, we can talk about a weight deficit, and even if the values reach 18.49, the situation is not much better. Ideally o normal weight we can say if the index is more than 18.5 and less than 25. Obesity according to this method is divided into several degrees, and the most critical situation is if the index reading is more than 40.The effect of excess weight on fertility
If high or low weight meant a 100% diagnosis, it would be terrible. But if a woman decides to give birth to a child and is ready for small feats, doctors can help her. She will almost certainly be able to carry a child. It is no coincidence that psychologists say: many diseases are in our heads. The strength to realize our goals and dreams also lies there.Does weight affect fertility? medical term– fertility)? In general, no. Although it adds difficulties with bearing a child.
If it were just a matter of weight... But still, it’s worth listening to the opinion of doctors. They say that when you are overweight, the body produces more estrogen than is normally needed. In fact, this can cause problems during conception. If you take care of yourself and the health of your internal organs, your chances of getting pregnant are the same as others. It is believed that polycystic disease is a common disease associated with excess weight. But if you take care of your health, everything will be fine.
Low weight and infertility
Lack of weight and a fragile physique also put you at risk. And the risk of infertility in this case is also high. Experts believe that an excessively low body mass index is almost synonymous with infertility. But let’s not push our body to extremes. Knowing this, you need to take care of this long before pregnancy. It’s worth getting examined to find out the causes of weight loss. Perhaps, with a competent approach, under the guidance of a doctor, this problem can also be overcome and increase your chances of bearing a healthy child.What is the ideal weight for men to conceive?
Most often, women are concerned about their weight. And researchers mainly conduct research on women's issues. But it turns out that excess or deficiency of weight in men may well be the cause of infertility in this couple.With obesity in men, metabolic disorders also occur, the quantity and quality of sperm decreases. Fat in the abdominal area is especially dangerous. It is said to cause the scrotum to overheat. And this has a detrimental effect on sperm motility. Thus, any excess or deficiency is immediately reflected in our hormonal balance. Therefore, if the spouses decide to have a child, both will have to take care of themselves and put their health in order.
In this case, it makes sense to undergo an examination in order to identify direct and indirect causes of infertility. Sometimes the examination reveals factors that, it would seem, do not have a direct impact on a woman’s ability to become pregnant. So, in particular, women often have a question about whether excess weight affects conception and ovulation, and how this happens.
It is a well-known fact that excess weight is not only unsightly, but can also cause various diseases. The easiest way to determine whether a woman is overweight is to subtract 110 from her height in centimeters. The resulting figure is the ideal weight for a given height. Exceeding the norm by more than 20% becomes a serious cause for alarm. There is a formula for calculating body mass index. To obtain the body mass index, you need to divide your body weight in kilograms by the square of your height in meters. If the resulting index ranges from 20 to 25, then the weight is normal, above 25 is overweight, above 30 are already signs of obesity.
There is no direct relationship between a woman’s ability to get pregnant and her weight. There are many examples of overweight women giving birth to several children without any problems. And vice versa, when women with an ideal weight cannot get pregnant for years. And, nevertheless, there is every reason to believe that a woman’s excess weight can be an indirect cause of infertility. There are a number of facts to support this opinion.
Overweight women are much more likely to experience menstrual irregularities under the influence of an endocrine factor, which leads to infertility. Often, reducing excess weight by at least 10% leads to normalization of the menstrual cycle.
Excess weight disrupts the balance of sex hormones in a woman’s body, which in turn directly affects conception and ovulation. For example, female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterones) regulate the process of ovulation. During the process of ovulation, the egg matures. Progesterones prepare a woman’s body to accept a mature egg, and estrogens, in turn, control progesterones. Fat cells activate the production and accumulation of large amounts of estrogens, the excess of which blocks progesterones. As a result, ovulation is disrupted and the egg does not mature.
Estrogens accumulated in fat deposits send signals to the pituitary gland in the brain, which produces FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) about its excess. As a result, FSH production decreases, which disrupts ovarian function and ovulation.
In addition, an increased level of estrogen in a woman’s body creates a risk of the formation of various types of tumors, such as fibroids and uterine fibroids, which is also often the cause of infertility.
Another unpleasant consequence of excess estrogen in the body of an overweight woman is endometriosis of the uterus (overgrowth of the lining of the uterus). As a result of hormonal disorders, the uterine lining is not completely shed during menstruation, which negatively affects ovulation and, as a result, leads to infertility.
The consequence of excess weight in a woman can be a disease such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body leads to the accumulation of partially mature eggs in the ovaries, which again leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle. With polycystic disease, the ovaries increase the production of androgen hormones, the accumulation of which slows down ovulation, often ovulation may stop completely. Polycystic ovary syndrome is more common in women over 30 years of age who already have children, and can cause secondary infertility.
In addition to hormonal imbalances, excess weight can cause other physiological changes in a woman’s body, leading to infertility. Great importance has a distribution of body fat. If fat deposits are evenly distributed, this is not as fraught with consequences as the accumulation of fatty tissue in certain places on a woman’s body. But, unfortunately, most often the majority of fat deposits are formed in a woman in the abdomen and thighs. In this case, blood flow in this area of the body is disrupted, and accordingly, metabolism in the woman’s internal genital organs (uterus and ovaries) is disrupted. These disorders can lead to the formation of adhesions in fallopian tubes, which directly affects the patency in them, and is often the cause of infertility.
Excess weight is especially dangerous for girls during puberty and the formation of childbearing functions. future woman. Hormonal imbalance during this period can have the most serious consequences. Excess weight during a girl's puberty disrupts hormonal background. Hormones, in turn, change the girl’s body structure, which can contribute to the accumulation of fat deposits. This vicious circle must be controlled precisely during the maturation period. In addition, according to experts, excess weight in adolescence promotes early puberty, and subsequently instability of the menstrual cycle and disruption of the ovulation process.
It is impossible to say in advance whether excess weight will affect conception and ovulation in each specific case. When planning a pregnancy, it is advisable to bring your body into full readiness for stress. And reducing excess weight as a way to healthy image life should be one of the first places in the process of preparing for pregnancy. However, it is completely unacceptable to exhaust your body with diets and long hours of training when planning a pregnancy. The process of losing weight should be gradual and painless for the body of the expectant mother.
Hello again, dear subscribers! Today, as always, we will touch on a very important and necessary topic. How does excess weight affect conception? Moreover, there are more than enough statements on this matter. Can the excessive obesity of future parents really become an obstacle for them on the way to replenishing their family? This is exactly what we are about to find out!
What is “ideal weight”
Do you consider yourself or your partner to be overweight? If yes, does this fact interfere with your life? Of course, excess fat mass (and we are talking about it now, not about muscles!) will not bring anything good to your life. And even more so it will not have a beneficial effect on the body.
In men, just like a woman's excess weight, it can become an obstacle in the process of conceiving a baby. Let's find out how to detect the problem of extra pounds, and how to assess the degree of its “severity”.
There is a special body mass index (BMI), which indicates the ratio of height and weight at all stages: deficiency, normal, pre-obese and obese. Using this tablet, you can easily calculate your BMI and determine the optimal weight for your height, so you can find out deviations from the norm.
If the problem still exists, of course, it is better to consult with specialists and choose a diet, as well as a set of physical exercises.
The main thing is not to “improvise” so as not to harm your body. An experienced doctor will tell you how to lose excess weight, how to eat properly and will be able to answer all your questions.
Conception and excess weight: fact or fiction
Of course, if you have overweight, this does not mean at all that you are infertile. However, scientists have long proven the fact that unhealthy obesity is the cause of a significant deterioration in fertility.
Of course, obesity as such does not affect reproductive function, but it has a detrimental effect on the body. Therefore, it is more difficult for “curvy” women to get pregnant (problems with the menstrual cycle, development of infertility, etc.) and quite difficult to bear a baby (there is a risk of miscarriage, various pregnancy complications, etc.).
The same applies to men! Statistics show that almost half of the cases of infertility in our stronger half of humanity are accompanied by obesity of one degree or another.
Also, excess weight reduces the quantity and quality of sperm. In addition, large men may suffer from impotence, diabetes, and heart disease. All this hinders their ability to conceive.
How to lose weight or the basics of an ideal diet
So, let's assume that there is a problem with weight. The question arises: how to lose weight? Proper nutrition will help you get in shape and increase your chances of conceiving.
In order to “kill two birds with one stone,” you will need to adhere to the so-called “menu for conception.” This is a balanced set of products that will significantly help improve reproductive function and overall health.
What is included in this menu?
- Avocado is one of best products for expectant mothers. Thanks to vitamin E, this product helps regulate menstrual cycle and ovulation.
- Spinach (and other greens) is an excellent source folic acid, which optimizes sperm production, egg production and prevents blockage of the fallopian tubes.
- The well-known oysters are natural source zinc Which, as is known, helps accelerate the mobility of the fertilized egg.
- Whole foods are a storehouse of vitamin B, which promotes the production of estrogen, necessary for reproductive function.
- Carrots and the beta-carotene they contain help increase sperm count (in men) and fight endocrine system problems (in women).
- Among other things, foods high in sulfur and selenium, for example: eggs, shrimp, squid or goose liver, will help stimulate both male and female fertility.
Well, my dears, that's all. I hope you received comprehensive information on this topic. Feel free to leave comments. Tell your friends and don't forget to subscribe to my blog.
Healthy, strong babies to all!
