Lifestyle Changes Can Help Obese Women Improve Fertility

Problems with infertility impact twelve to fifteen percent of all women in North America. One of the modern causes of problems with conception comes from obesity. Women who are overweight experience higher chances of problems with various types of medical issues that impact fertility, such as ovulation or menstrual disorders.

Fortunately, the fix is fairly straightforward, even if making it happen might be a little more difficult for some. Improving physical activity levels and switching to a healthier diet can shave off the pounds that are affect the body’s fertility.

New research out of Canada is underscoring these recommendations. Obese patients who turned to surgical or drug treatments to lose weight did not gain nearly the benefit as other patients who transformed their lifestyles into a healthier pattern. The study also looked at the outcomes for women who did get pregnant. Those who conceived while obese passed not only a higher risk of obesity on to their child, but also an increased chance of developing diabetes to that child as well.

The Canadian study looked at existing medical data over a ten year period, focusing on patient weight, if or how they shed their excess weight, and how they went about it. The patients who lost it naturally were more likely to conceive and less likely to give birth to children who later developed medical issues of their own.