Can Being Overweight or Underweight Affect My Fertility? You Will Be Shocked By the Answer.
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If you are on the lower or higher end of the scale, this can affect your fertility.
Who is at greater risk of fertility issues, a woman who is overweight or underweight? Drum roll…...BOTH. Yup, women and men who are on either side of the spectrum of the scale can have issues conceiving. If you are interested in how body weight can affect fertility, keep reading on!
In research and medicine, body weight is normally classified as being underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese based on the body mass index (BMI) scale. Take a look at the BMI categories below:
<18.5 kg/m2 = underweight
18.6 - 24.9 kg/m2 = normal weight
25 - 29.9 kg/m2 = overweight
>30 kg/m2 = obese
Remember, BMI is not perfect, as it does not take into account how much muscle mass a person has (& muscle weighs more than fat!). Here at Nouveau Nutrition Fertility Wellness, we 100% support the health of every size. That being said, it is important to be aware of health statistics and how certain factors may influence your fertility overall.
Men, you have to watch your weight too. If you are obese, you are 3 times more likely to have a reduction in sperm quality, making it harder for the sperm to penetrate an egg. No penetration of the egg...no embryo….no baby. If you are in the overweight category, you may be at a higher risk for sperm DNA damage, leading to poor quality swimmers. An increase in BMI has also been found to decrease sperm concentration. As your weight increases, so does a hormone called inhibin B. More inhibin B in the body leads to lower sperm production. Less sperm = harder time getting pregnant. Side note - this does not apply to someone that is underweight and needs to increase their weight.
It’s not just excess weight that can kill your chance at conception, lack of weight can also influence fertility. Men who have a BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2 may also produce lower sperm concentrations than those who are at a normal BMI. Try to be in the normal range to optimize your health and that all-important SPERM.
Remember, 30-40% of all infertility cases are due to suboptimal male fertility. This is why it is important for both men and women to work on their fertility for an optimized chance at conception!
As for women, it has been found that women in the overweight and obese categories may experience a longer time to get pregnant than those who have a “normal” BMI. Obese women also have a greater risk of miscarriage. Unfortunately, it has been found that obesity lowers success rates in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). On a positive note, weight loss, even 10 pounds, has helped women improve their fertility by bringing back or regulating ovulation (which is essential to get pregnant!).
Similar to men, being in the underweight category can also damper your chances at conceiving. Having a low percentage of body fat can lead to ovarian dysfunction (abnormal, irregular, or absent ovulation) and infertility. Limited body fat can disrupt estrogen levels, thus impacting our period. Underweight women may also be at greater risk of having a premature infant. Increasing your body weight safely can help regulate your period, improve your chance at conception, and reduce the risk of having a premature baby. We have worked with women who needed to gain weight and we did that with nutrient-dense meal plans and tons of support.
Whether you are looking to lose or gain weight to improve your fertility, it is important to do so in a healthy way. Not sure where to start? Check out the contact information below and let me help you improve your fertility. As always, be sure to speak with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet.
If you fall on either side of the scale, let’s talk about how we can work together to boost your fertility.
Book a free 20-minute fertility strategy session call.
Sending fertility love 💗 and baby dust!
Love, your fertility sister...Kira
203.442.6027
References:
Sharma R, Biedenharn KR, Fedor JM, Agarwal A. Lifestyle factors and reproductive health: taking control of your fertility. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2013;11:66. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-11-66
Weight and Fertility. Reproductive Facts. https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/weight-and-fertility/. Accessed March 17, 2021.
FastStats - Overweight Prevalence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm. Published March 1, 2021. Accessed March 17, 2021.
Defining Adult Overweight and Obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html#:~:text=If%20your%20BMI%20is%20less,falls%20within%20the%20obesity%20range. Published March 3, 2021. Accessed March 17, 2021.