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How Losing Weight Can Improve Infertility

While the trend is to be thin these days we are in fact a very fat population. As much as the media may portray thin as being in, obesity is actually on the rise and the worst part of that isn’t how we look but rather how bad it is for us. Whether you want to hear it or not, even a little bit of excess weight can be bad for your health and in the case of fertility, weight is the enemy.

Research has led to the conclusion that obesity is strongly related to infertility. In the case of women, the prime obstacle is insufficient ovulation, which happens when the body refuses to release eggs on a monthly basis. Having excessive adnominal fat tends to cause storage of excess estrogen which is the hormone that has to fluctuate if ovulation is to occur. Also, there is a rise in the levels of the ‘male hormones’ in women which together send out wrong signals to the brain, wreaking havoc on your fertility.

Before You Do Anything

In the event that a couple is having problems conceiving, getting evaluated by a fertility expert is a great idea. This is because it is fairly easy to count and therefore evaluate sperms. It is also very easy to rule out any male-related problems at the early stages. A woman who is prone to irregularities in menstrual cycles must look for signs of hormonal imbalances such as abnormal body hair which is an indication of excessive testosterone. Testing might show polycystic ovarian syndrome which is denoted by numerous cysts on the ovaries, lack of balance in the hormones and problems with ovulation. However, if the sperm of the male and the hormone levels of both partners are normal and in the event that the woman does not have fallopian tubes which are blocked or a poor functioning thyroid gland, the problem could be a result of excessive weight.

Being Overweight

In most cases, obese people tend to have other medical issues as a result of the excess weight and infertility is often one. Although loss of weight can get the ovaries to work on their own again, it is difficult to pinpoint a certain weight that will make it happen. The best guideline is to work towards getting to your ideal BMI (Body Mass Index). You can find out your BMI right here or ask your doctor.

It isn’t just about your weight though; fertility problems also occur when the male part of the equation is obese. This is because obese men have poor sperm quality or counts and other hormonal imbalances causing them to be twice as prone to infertility. If your partner is overweight then he will need to work on his diet and exercise as well.

In order to encourage ovulation and improved fertility, a doctor always suggests following a weight loss or maintenance program topped with beta-carotene which is a fantastic nutrient for better functioning of the ovaries. This plan is known to have a fifty percent success rate which certainly makes it worth a shot. Besides, getting down to a healthy weight is never a bad idea anyway.

Being fit will help women conceive more easily and lead to a better quality of life once the kids come along. Nutrition and diet along with natural prenatal supplements and additional folic acid is required to support in the birth of a healthy baby. Pay a visit to your local health food store and talk to your doctor to find out what is available to help boost your fertility.