The Correlation Between Obesity and Infertility
July 3rd, 2009 by Sarah Gardner
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Medical professionals have documented many of the health issues related to, or blamed on obesity and have recently concluded the connection between obesity and infertility. There are many possible causes for infertility, but studies have shown obese women, those with a body mass index over 30, generally have inconsistent menstrual cycles, leading to inconsistent ovulation, reducing the chances of becoming pregnant.
Irregular cycles and inconsistent ovulation aren’t the only problems which obese women face in regards to fertility. Polysystic Ovarian syndrome is a serious problem which greatly reduces fertility levels, and it’s often seen in obese women. In-vitro fertilization is frequently a failure in obese women. It’s now been revealed that obesity, diabetes, and by efforts to use in-vitro fertilization to become pregnant are often unsuccessful in obese women. It is becoming increasingly clear that obesity, diabetes, and hyperinsulinemia are making a severe negative impact on women’s fertility levels.
Obesity May Reduce Fertility
Studies have revealed that since obese women more frequently experience irregular ovulation and have more immature eggs, they will also experience a higher rate of tubal pregnancies. Tubal pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus and are not viable since the fetus can’t develop properly outside of the uterus. Tubal pregnancy may be one of the main reasons that obese women have a high rate of miscarriage, but there are also other possible factors which are not yet known and are still being studied.
Birth Complications Show Increase For Obese Mothers
Studies coming from Sweden have recently revealed that obese women who suffer infertility are also frequently going to experience elevated blood pressure. High blood pressure during pregnancy, which is very dangerous, is four to five times more likely to occur in obese mothers. In addition to all of these risks, stillbirth has been found to happen more frequently in women who have a body mass index over 35. Women with a BMI of 26 or less suffer stillbirths much less often.
Birth complications which are more unique to obese mothers include a very elevated risk of the baby’s shoulder becoming snagged in the mother’s pelvis. This is two to three times more common to happen to obese women, and can be the cause of very severe injuries or even death to the infant. Gestational diabetes is another threat, as it’s much more common to see babies with this disease born to obese moms. Obesity is the cause of many problems both becoming pregnant and in maintaining a healthy full term pregnancy.
While studies are being conducted and much is being learned about the issues and connections between infertility and obesity, there is still a great deal left to research. Hypothyroidism is a common problem for obese people of both sexes, and since the thyroid’s correct functioning is vital for a safe pregnancy, it might have yet another connection. What is known now is that there is an obvious connection between infertility, obesity, and quite possibly even more yet-unrevealed issues.
