Dieting for Fertility
Obesity has many negative health consequences. Some are better known and documented
than others. Recent studies have shown that yet another potential consequence of obesity
is difficulty when it comes to conceiving a baby. Fertility troubles are a growing problem
in this country and around the world. One reason that is being hailed as a very viable
culprit is obesity.
While most people look immediately to the female in the relationship for this particular
problem the facts indicate that male obesity can also lead to a low sperm count, which
can also hamper fertility efforts and progress.
Our bodies were designed for specific purposes. It is utterly amazing how well each part
of the human body works to support the others. There are very few machines that can
compete with the genius of the design of the human body. After thousands of years to
study the human body there are still many mysteries hidden within. The truth comes
down to this however, we put things into our bodies, and abuse our bodies in ways that
our bodies were simply not designed to take and yet we still manage to adapt and survive
many of these things.
It’s amazing when you think about that the human body endures the many things it does
without permanent and irrevocable damage. The good news for those attempting to
conceive is that the human body also has the remarkable ability to heal itself. This means
that those who find their efforts to conceive have been hampered by obesity have also
seen positive changes by losing as little as five to ten percent of your ability to conceive.
If both partners are overweight then it might be a good idea to work together to shed
those unwanted pounds and adopt a healthier, more active lifestyle. Being active when
trying to conceive and throughout the pregnancy is a good idea for the female in the
relationship at any rate as this can help in the process of labor and delivery.
If you are trying to conceive without success and have been doing so for more than a year
it is probably in your best interest to seek the services of a fertility specialist in order to
rule out other possible considerations. Though it is rarely a bad idea to adopt a healthier
lifestyle you should also consult your doctor before beginning a strict diet or weight loss
regimen in order to make sure there aren’t other factors that may be causing your weight
issues. This is particularly true if you have gained a good deal of weight in a rather short
amount of time.
In addition to conception difficulty obesity can also lead to a greater risk of miscarriage
once conception has occurred. Obesity also leads to a greater risk of conditions such as
gestational diabetes during the pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and in some cases still birth and
birth defects. It is no small hindrance to a healthy pregnancy and should be carefully
considered before attempting to conceive.
Another consideration when it comes to obesity and fertility is that being overweight can
also hamper the affects of fertility treatments. This means that the process is typically
lengthier and will cost significantly more over time than if obesity were not a factor.
When coupled with the risks to the baby this is something that should not be taken lightly
when making plans for fertility treatments.
If your BMI is greater than 30 there are many fertility clinics that simply will not offer
their services. Some limit it to greater than 35 and others 40. If you feel that fertility
treatments are the only course of action available to you and your BMI is greater than 30,
the first suggestion you are likely to hear is the suggestion that you make serious weight
loss efforts and lifestyle changes before proceeding. You may find that once you begin to
shed the pounds, fertility intervention is no longer necessary.
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