What Is Infertility?
Infertility is generally defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most couples.
How Is Infertility Linked to Obesity?
There are many factors that could contribute to both male and female infertility. One of the most common risk factor that can affect a couple’s ability to get pregnant is being overweight or obese. Obesity changes the way a woman’s body stores sex hormones, which in turn impairs her reproductive function. Furthermore, it is not just a woman’s weight that affects fertility. Obese men, due to their elevated body temperatures, are more likely to have lower or even nonexistent sperm counts.
Treat Infertility by Treating Obesity
Although there are many factors that contribute to infertility, perhaps you can start addressing your fertility challenges by getting to a healthy weight. Changing your diet and exercising more is a sure way of achieving weight loss. It is a simple concept, but in practice, it’s not always easy. If changing your diet and exercising have not worked, you may want to talk to your doctor about bariatric surgeries or procedures. It may be worth the consideration, especially if obesity is the underlying cause of your infertility.