Weight Loss and Fertility
Dropping Extra Weight for Conception
In the United States it is noted that around one in eight couples of childbearing age have trouble conceiving. New studies now suggest that a good number of those may be due to the woman having a body mass index (BMI) that is overweight to obese. Researches now say that women who have a healthy BMI of 20 to 25 and are under the age of 35 will have a better chance of getting pregnant in any given month versus those who have a BMI of 30 or more. How much better of a chance? According to some researchers,15% to 20%, which is quite considerable in relation to fertility.
Too much extra weight can simply be a conception and fertility killer. A woman’s body naturally produces hormones that are needed for conception, but an abundance of fat tissues can cause the production of too much. When this happens throughout your menstrual cycle, with estrogen for instance, the end result is often going to be fertility that is inhibited. Other overabundance of hormones caused by being overweight can lead to menstrual irregularities and even prevent ovulation in certain months.
Fat tissues also increase the amount of cholesterol and abdominal lipids levels. This will discourage a normal, and healthy, blood flow to the lining of the uterine. The outcome will then be a fertilized egg that cannot implant itself in the uterine wall which makes pregnancy difficult to say the least. Even those who seek infertility treatments take a chance with being overweight as their weight can have an effect on how certain treatments do and don’t work.
back to menu ↑Insulin Resistance and Extra Weight
Polycystic overall syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that many women who are having problems conceiving face. This condition is one that has a variety of signs and symptoms, one of the most prevalent of which can be insulin resistance. This can then interfere with ovulation and egg quality, again making pregnancy very difficult.
PCOS is a condition that can be genetically predisposed, but that is not always the case. In many cases of PCOS, the underlying factor is being overweight. Even if you do not have PCOS you can still experience insulin resistance and fertility problems just because you are overweight.
back to menu ↑Boosting Fertility by Dropping Weight
While it may sound somewhat unconventional, dropping weight can actually help you with your fertility quest. Whether you may be receiving fertility treatments or just trying to conceive on your own, you can increase your chances greatly by simply losing five to ten percent of your overall bodyweight. For example, going from 200 pounds down to 180 pounds will see your chances of conceiving greatly increase.
back to menu ↑Eating Better
As you lose weight you will be doing so by eating better and exercising. When you eat a more balanced diet you will tend to cut out refined carbohydrates, like those that are in cookies and snack cakes, and you will add complex carbohydrates, like whole grains. This one step will not only see your body weight start to drop, but it will also help your body naturally balance out its hormones. This in turn can help you process insulin better.
back to menu ↑Incorporating Exercise
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes each week of moderate-intense aerobic exercising, such as walking or jogging. In addition, the CDC also recommends two days a week of strength and muscle training.
However, these guidelines are only the minimum recommendations by the CDC. While taking these steps will certainly see you lose some weight, especially if you do not normally work out, you can increase these levels as you start to get fit. That increase will help you accelerate your weight loss, which will help you accelerate your chances of conceiving.
back to menu ↑Make the Commitment
When you are trying to conceive, weight loss might be the last thing on your mind. However, with all the research that is now out supporting weight loss and fertility going hand in hand, you might find that now is the time to make a commitment and lose some weight.
You don’t have to go at it alone and even if you’ve never eaten right or exercised a day in your life, you can do it. There is help out there if you want it and by undertaking a program that will help you incorporate healthy eating and exercising into your daily routine you will not only come to look and feel better, but you will also increase your chances of fertility and ultimately conception.
