Walking on a fertility journey as an adult can be a tough call of duty. You might find it puzzling to understand the relationship between lifestyle and infertility. You could be leading an active lifestyle but still not able to conceive. This can leave you wondering about whether your weight has anything to do with your problem. Dr. Judson Shelnutt and his team at Shelnutt Gynecology have been providing a second chance at parenthood among residents of Athens, GA, who have fertility problems. Let us look at how weight affects fertility, the ideal weight for conception, and the role of diet infertility.
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The Science of Weight & Fertility
The female reproductive system relies on the adrenal system for its nutrition and energy needs. When you are stressed, anxious, or the body lacks the required nutrition, the brain stops supplying the reproductive system with nutrients required for reproduction. When you stop ovulating, this is a sign that your body wants to retain iron and blood stocks. A 5-10% change in body weight can negatively impact menstruation and fertility.
The Ideal Weight For Conception
For you to have a regular menstrual cycle, you need to have an average weight. Calculating your body mass index (BMI) can help you maintain the right weight. The optimal BMI range for you to conceive is between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2. Being underweight or overweight alters your ovulation cycle and increases the risk of miscarriage. Extra fat tissue affects the quality of your ova, which leads to poor embryo development and can cause endometriosis.
Weight distribution can also affect your fertility, which underlines the need to consult your doctor for weight management. If you have an apple body shape (abdominal fat), for instance, you are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, which can make you irregular or miss your periods. Even though your doctor can use medication to induce ovulation, managing your weight in the first place will help enhance your fertility levels.
Infertility And Diet
Your doctor emphasizes on the importance of visiting a dietician to help get insight on how to improve on your diet, which has been found to work for women trying to conceive. Regular exercise can also cause you to experience slight changes in your menstrual cycle, common with people who exercise extensively. Even though these changes might look negligible to you, they can affect your fertility. Physical activity is recommended during pre-conception and pregnancy, and your doctor will advise on an exercise regimen that is right for your condition.
Weight-improvement interventions not only significantly increase your chances of becoming pregnant but also enhances your health and that of your child in the future. Shelnutt Gynecology encourages you to take stock and liaise with our specialists to create a lifestyle plan that places a premium on your health in relation to nutrition and weight. Do not shy away to bring up questions on anxiety and stress during your next visit since these can have an impact on your fertility.