Index
- The effects of obesity on women's fertility
- The causes of infertility in overweight women
- What are the consequences of female obesity on fertility?
- Treating fertility in obese women
The effects of obesity on women's fertility
Fertility is a concern that affects one in eight couples in France. It can be due to the woman or the man or both at the same time. A couple is said to be infertile when they are unable to conceive a child for at least a year. Trials are often successful after six months of trying. This is the case for between a third and a half of the pregnancies recorded. According to the figures, 10% of couples remain infertile after 2 years of attempts. 25% of cases remain without explanation. There are many reasons for this and they are medical, genetic and environmental in nature. The consequences of obesity on a woman's fertility are not to be neglected.
The causes of infertility in overweight women
The primary cause of infertility in women of childbearing age is polycystic ovary syndrome. It consists of a disturbance of the hormones FSH and LH of central or ovarian origin. This hormonal disease affects one in ten women and is characterized by a rare or absent ovulation. The testosterone level in a woman's blood is high.
Otherwise, many factors contribute to a woman's infertility. These are among others:
- Obesity: The effect of obesity on a woman's fertility is well established. Research has shown that an excess of fat in a woman's body leads to irregularities in reproduction. This is because excess weight also increases the production of insulin in the blood. Insulin has been shown to affect the functioning of an area in the brain that is responsible for the secretion of sex hormones. And this is what affects a woman's reproduction.
- Mature age: Women's reproductive capacity begins to decline at age 35 and drops to less than 10% after age 40.
- Endometriosis: It is a gynaecological disease characterised by the presence of uterine tissue outside the uterus.
What are the consequences of female obesity on fertility?
Excess weight in women is a source of various health concerns. It is important to know the consequences of obesity on a woman's fertility. This will enable her to take the necessary measures to avoid any risk. Obesity is the cause of various disorders, namely:
- Degradation of oocyte quality
- Alteration of the quality of the endometrium
- Anovulation or oligomenorrhoea, one of the irregularities of the menstrual cycle
- PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: 30 to 75% of PCOS cases occur in overweight women
The impacts of a woman's obesity on fertility have a direct effect on her reproductive health. It leads to early puberty and aggravation of polycystic ovary syndrome. Otherwise, the occurrence of frequent miscarriages cannot be ruled out. Obese women are three times more likely to miscarry. Similarly, various obstetric complications can occur in cases of overweight, including pre-eclampsia, foetal macrosomia and gestational diabetes.
Treating fertility in obese women
It is possible to treat and prevent the effects of obesity on a woman's fertility. Obesity has negative impacts on fertility. The first action to be taken to deal with the infertility of obese women is weight loss. Changing eating habits is included in the programme, as well as the practice of appropriate physical exercise. This programme can lead to a loss of 6.5kg in the patient after six months.
Ovulation occurs in 90% of cases. Weight loss is around 5%.
Gastric surgery is another effective weight reduction option for treating infertility in obese women. However, it requires close monitoring of the patient. Poor absorption of food can cause harmful nutritional deficiencies for both mother and baby.
When an obese woman loses weight, the metabolic profile improves and the body is more sensitive to insulin. The chances of a safe pregnancy increase. Ovulation is regular.
