Your weight can have an impact on your fertility. Both overweight and underweight women suffer from irregular periods and a lack of ovulation. If you suspect this problem, see your doctor for an evaluation. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to calculate the individual woman’s weight and height to determine if she has a weight issue that may interfere with fertility.
Being significantly overweight can have a negative impact on your menstrual cycle. Obesity is a factor in a common infertility problem known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS don’t ovulate regularly and tend to have very irregular menstrual cycles. Even without PCOS, overweight women tend to have irregular menstrual and ovulation cycles.
Being underweight is no better in terms of your fertility. Women who are underweight tend to have irregular menstrual cycles and women who are very underweight can stop menstruating completely. This is the result of a failure to ovulate due to low body weight.
An important first step is to address the weight issues, whether over or under weight. Overweight women should begin a doctor supervised weight loss program. Avoid the quick fix diets. You need a healthy, long term solution. Diet combined with exercise has been proven to be the most effective method of losing weight and keeping it off. It’s important to get a clean bill of health from the doctor before starting any exercise routine.
If you are underweight, the goal will be to gain enough weight for regular menstrual cycles to return. Keep in mind that if you are malnourished, your baby is more likely to suffer from growth problems, such as intrauterine growth retardation. Babies need the right nourishment to grow properly. Don’t start eating chips and cookies in an attempt to put on the pounds. Gain weight in a healthy way. A referral with a nutritionist can help you get started.
Once you have addressed the weight issues that have resulted in a lack of ovulation, your cycles should return to normal. In some cases, another issue may be hindering your fertility. Your reproductive endocrinologist will discuss the next step. Often, fertility drugs are used to stimulate ovulation.
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