Do you need to lose weight, control weight, to get pregnant? This common question was answered by Dr. Fernando Prado, gynecologist and obstetrician
Being overweight can pose a risk of developing several metabolic diseases, as well as problems such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. But the many pounds more – or less – on the scale can also interfere with fertility.
“Ovulation and reproductive function are biological events dependent on the body’s energy reserves. Not only the specific weight, but mainly the body composition and the distribution of fat in the body, in addition to the quality of the diet and a sedentary lifestyle, can indeed be linked to female infertility”explains the Dr. Fernando PradoSpecialist in Human Reproduction, Member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Clinical Director of Neo Vita. “Extremes such as thinness and obesity are considered risk factors for ovulatory infertility among women,” adds the doctor.
Specifically about excess body weight, the doctor explains that it is associated with menstrual cycle disorders and infertility, especially because it interferes with the ovulation phase. “We know that ovulatory disorders account for 25 to 50% of all causes of infertility in women, and a significant proportion is directly or indirectly related to overweight and obesity.”says the doctor.
Interference can happen at levels below obesity. A Brazilian study based on 263 medical records of infertile female patients who underwent assisted reproduction treatment and had regular menstrual cycles showed a dangerous association between weight gain and infertility. “The work showed that being overweight was significantly associated with anovulation (a term that defines the absence of ovulation). BMI (Body Mass Index) above the normal range compromised ovulation in non-obese infertile women with regular menstrual cycles”says the doctor.
In pregnancy, the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia is increased.
In addition, when pregnancy occurs, the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia (increased blood pressure during pregnancy) is increased. The specialist emphasizes that the woman who wants to become pregnant, if she has metabolic alterations such as obesity and insulin resistance or a family history of diabetes, should be oriented about the risks of developing gestational diabetes and encouraged to make immediate changes in eating habits, such as reducing consumption of sugars, and practice physical activities, to help in the chances of conception and in the prevention of diseases during pregnancy. “A 5-10% weight loss is enough to help regulate the menstrual cycle, restore fertility and avoid pregnancy risks”says the doctor.
Another important point is the risk of developing tumors in the uterus, such as hyperplasia or endometrial cancer, which are related to chronic anovulation. “When ovulation doesn’t happen, there’s no progesterone being produced and so the endometrium doesn’t shed and menstruation doesn’t happen. This endometrium (tissue that lines the uterus) can continue to grow a lot, which increases the risk of changes in the cells, generating hyperplasia or even endometrial cancer”explains. “The best thing to do is seek medical help from a specialist in Human Reproduction, as well as readjust the diet with the guidance of a nutritionist and, preferably, seek to do physical activity supervised by a teacher. But if supervision is not possible, it is important for the overweight patient to start slowly, with walking or lighter activities. Any physical activity that increases caloric expenditure is already advantageous when combined with dietary reeducation”concludes the doctor.
SOURCE:
*DR FERNANDO PRADO: Gynecologist, obstetrician and specialist in Human Reproduction. He is the clinical director of Neo Vita and medical coordinator of Embriológica. PhD from the Federal University of São Paulo and Imperial College London, London – United Kingdom. He holds a degree in Medicine from the Federal University of São Paulo, a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the European Society for Human Reproduction (ESHRE). Whatsapp Neo Vita: 11 5052-1000 / Instagram: @neovita.br / Youtube: Neo Vita – Human Reproduction.
Study LINK: https://www.scielo.br/j/rbgo/a/kPjrLzqCVV7GRccfzVDVmkx/
Source: Recreio
