For the Females out there....

[Mvlblondie]

I just read a very interesting article on the connection between weight and infertility. I thought I might share with some of the females out there, I thought it was really interesting and is a reminder to me to take care of my body if I hope to have children some day....

"Does being overweight affect fertility and if so, how?
Obesity has a strong association with infertility and menstrual irregularities. While some of the ovulation problems and menstrual changes are explainable by women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) who are also obese, women who do not have PCOS but are overweight also have the same problems. Group treatment programs that assist obese women with diet and exercise plans have shown return of fertility in many patients. Weight loss of 15 lbs (6.5 kg) has been shown to restore ovulation. It is thought that the improvement in insulin resistance has more to do with restoring ovulation than the actual amount of weight or weight loss itself. For most studies, 20% over ideal weight is considered obese. Officially, a BMI (body mass index) of 25-30 is considered overweight and a BMI of over 30 is considered obese.



Can weighing too little lower my chances of getting pregnant?
Low weight and weight loss is also associated with ovulatory dysfunction and thus infertility. Even a moderate weight loss of 10-15% under ideal body weight can result in menstrual irregularity. It does not need to be the weight alteration of 30% or more as seen in women with anorexia nervosa or bulimia. Weight gain programs in these underweight women have been shown to restore ovulation and pregnancy in up to 73% of women who were able to achieve 95% of their ideal body weight. For many studies affecting eating disorders, a BMI (body mass index) of 17.5 - 20 is underweight and under 17.5 (90 lbs at 5 feet 0 inches) is considered very underweight."

[desperate housewife]

I heard of that before and I was watching E! one day and they were interviewing women who had issues with weight (both over and under) and now are normal weight but due to their past they can no longer have children. scary thought. I wonder what happens, if anything, to guys?

[bellavus]

this is a very interesting correlation between size and fertility. I had no idea they were so closely related.

[Michelley]

ah anyone else have any sources of how underweight, overweight, eating disorders affect fertility?

[desperate housewife]

what type of info are you looking for? like specific numbers or research?