For couples with plans of pregnancy in mind, maintaining a healthy body weight is very important. Many people do not realise that obesity not only increases the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, but can also affect their fertility.

Is It True That Obesity Makes It Hard to Conceive?

Obesity can indeed affect fertility in both women and men. However, this does not mean that obese individuals cannot conceive at all. Obesity tends to lower the chances of conceiving naturally and increases the risk of various fertility problems.

Obesity and Female Fertility

Overweight and obesity do not only affect people's appearance or their heart, they can also affect a woman’s ability to conceive and be pregnant. Women with a BMI above 30 have a higher risk of infertility.

One of the main reasons is hormonal imbalance, especially in the hormones that regulate ovulation. When ovulation does not occur routinely, the opportunity for pregnancy decreases.

Obesity is also strongly associated with PCOS, which is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.

In addition, obesity can reduce the success of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Several studies have found that obese women have lower pregnancy and live birth rates, along with an increased risk of miscarriage.

Obesity and Male Fertility

Fertility issues related to obesity are not limited to women. Overweight and obese men can also experience poorer sperm quality. A study in the journal Basic and Clinical Andrology (2023) reported that obese men tend to have lower sperm counts, slower sperm movement, and higher levels of damage in their sperm DNA.

Together, these problems can reduce the ability of sperm to fertilise an egg.

In obese men, excess fat tissues can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Fat cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), harmful molecules that can damage sperm cells.

Excessive body fat also disrupts hormonal balance. This can lower testosterone levels and impair sperm production.

Pregnancy Risks with Obesity

Although pregnancy is still possible, obesity increases several risks during pregnancy. Pregnant women with obesity are more likely to experience:

• Gestational diabetes

• High blood pressure and preeclampsia

• Premature birth

• Higher indication of caesarean section

Babies born to obese mothers also have a greater risk of developing obesity and metabolic disorders later in life, including diabetes and high blood pressure from a young age.

For this reason, if you along with your partner are planning a pregnancy and currently have obesity, it is advisable to work towards a healthier body weight before conceiving. The recommended BMI range for starting a pregnancy is 18.5 to 24.9.

If losing weight on your own is difficult, you can consult a doctor or nutritionist to get safe and effective guidance. You can also ask a doctor through the health consultation service on the Ai Care app, available on the App Store and Play Store.

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