A couple's habits and lifestyle have a significant influence on their fertility. Women who are significantly overweight or underweight may have difficulty becoming pregnant either naturally or by IVF (in vitro fertilization). They need proper diet and appropriate level of exercise. Obesity results in an increased production of estrogen; this hormonal imbalance will interfere with ovulation, which is the basis of successful conception.
A person is categorized as being obese if thirty per cent of her body weight consists of fat tissues. Ovulatory disorders are the main cause of female infertility, resulting in the disruption of hormones, menstrual cycles, and child-bearing. Approximately 15% of such disorders are associated to weight disorders; primarily being overweight and obese.
Altering the diet and avoiding food that is high in saturated or trans fat or high in sugar is advisable. Trans fat (also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat) which is typically found in commercially prepared baked goods, fried foods, and processed snack can disrupt normal ovulation by interfering with a cell receptor that controls inflammation, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.
Enriching the diet with whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins is the best for couples. Drink plenty of water; take multivitamins or mineral supplements to improve your health. Food supplements can be used to enhance a healthy diet but should not be used as a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet. A prenatal multivitamin with iron, calcium, antioxidant nutrients (A, C, E, selenium and zinc), probiotics, fish oils and others may be used to enhance fertility and support a healthy pregnancy.
The British Fertility Society and Dr. Abha Maheshwari from the University of Aberdeen recommended that a person with a BMI over 35 should not receive IVF treatment, and women with a BMI over 30 should delay treatment until they have lost weight. Dr. Arthur Leader, co-founder of the Ottawa Fertility Centre, insists that based on his case study, extremely overweight women are 3 times more likely to have infertility problems. These women are 3 times more likely to have an IVF procedure failure, and have a greater risk of pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. Overweight women take longer to conceive using IVF treatment, and at the same time, suffer more miscarriage. A study conducted by Jim Wang from University of Adelaide has established a positive relationship between Body Mass Index and the risk of spontaneous abortion in women who became pregnant after IVF treatment. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of early pregnancy loss occurring before 6 weeks of pregnancy.
According to several studies, women who have childhood obesity are at a greater risk of amenorrhea, a condition in which menstrual cycles are absent. Women who are obese are less likely to respond to fertility drugs, because excess weight interferes with the proper absorption of a variety of drugs used in infertility treatment due to insulin excess and insulin resistance. Obese women have poorer response to ovarian stimulation as the hyperinsulinaemia may result in altered follicular maturation that affects the eggs being harvested for IVF treatment.
Studies also showed that a higher proportion of women in the overweight and obese groups had a miscarriage and needed higher doses of drugs to stimulate their ovaries during their IVF treatment. Professor Adam Balen, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals confirmed that obesity has a lot of effect on fertility. Balen also recognized that the risk of complications such as miscarriage and maternal or fetal death are more readily associated with obesity. Children born to plump women through IVF are more likely to have genetic defects. A healthy lifestyle is important to improve your chances of a successful IVF treatment, so observe a balance diet and exercise regularly. Consuming a balanced diet will help to ensure that your body is healthy enough to conceive and nourish a developing fetus. Thus, a healthy lifestyle determines the success rate of IVF treatment.
A person is categorized as being obese if thirty per cent of her body weight consists of fat tissues. Ovulatory disorders are the main cause of female infertility, resulting in the disruption of hormones, menstrual cycles, and child-bearing. Approximately 15% of such disorders are associated to weight disorders; primarily being overweight and obese.
Altering the diet and avoiding food that is high in saturated or trans fat or high in sugar is advisable. Trans fat (also known as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat) which is typically found in commercially prepared baked goods, fried foods, and processed snack can disrupt normal ovulation by interfering with a cell receptor that controls inflammation, glucose metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.
Enriching the diet with whole grains, vegetables, fruits and lean proteins is the best for couples. Drink plenty of water; take multivitamins or mineral supplements to improve your health. Food supplements can be used to enhance a healthy diet but should not be used as a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet. A prenatal multivitamin with iron, calcium, antioxidant nutrients (A, C, E, selenium and zinc), probiotics, fish oils and others may be used to enhance fertility and support a healthy pregnancy.
The British Fertility Society and Dr. Abha Maheshwari from the University of Aberdeen recommended that a person with a BMI over 35 should not receive IVF treatment, and women with a BMI over 30 should delay treatment until they have lost weight. Dr. Arthur Leader, co-founder of the Ottawa Fertility Centre, insists that based on his case study, extremely overweight women are 3 times more likely to have infertility problems. These women are 3 times more likely to have an IVF procedure failure, and have a greater risk of pregnancy-related complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery. Overweight women take longer to conceive using IVF treatment, and at the same time, suffer more miscarriage. A study conducted by Jim Wang from University of Adelaide has established a positive relationship between Body Mass Index and the risk of spontaneous abortion in women who became pregnant after IVF treatment. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of early pregnancy loss occurring before 6 weeks of pregnancy.
According to several studies, women who have childhood obesity are at a greater risk of amenorrhea, a condition in which menstrual cycles are absent. Women who are obese are less likely to respond to fertility drugs, because excess weight interferes with the proper absorption of a variety of drugs used in infertility treatment due to insulin excess and insulin resistance. Obese women have poorer response to ovarian stimulation as the hyperinsulinaemia may result in altered follicular maturation that affects the eggs being harvested for IVF treatment.
Studies also showed that a higher proportion of women in the overweight and obese groups had a miscarriage and needed higher doses of drugs to stimulate their ovaries during their IVF treatment. Professor Adam Balen, from Leeds Teaching Hospitals confirmed that obesity has a lot of effect on fertility. Balen also recognized that the risk of complications such as miscarriage and maternal or fetal death are more readily associated with obesity. Children born to plump women through IVF are more likely to have genetic defects. A healthy lifestyle is important to improve your chances of a successful IVF treatment, so observe a balance diet and exercise regularly. Consuming a balanced diet will help to ensure that your body is healthy enough to conceive and nourish a developing fetus. Thus, a healthy lifestyle determines the success rate of IVF treatment.
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Not sure how to get pregnant using IVF or ICSI treatment? Check out more about how lifestyle affects your fertility.