by Dr. Leon Katz / June 17 2024

Obesity, Fertility, and Pregnancy: It’s Not Just the Woman. When a couple is trying to have a baby, many factors come into play. Doctors often suggest that women take prenatal vitamins, eat healthy, exercise, and avoid harmful substances before trying to get pregnant. But did you know that both men and women with obesity can have a harder time getting pregnant? What is Infertility? Infertility means not getting pregnant after 12 months of trying without using birth control. For women aged 35 or older, this timeframe is shortened to 6 months. Obesity and Women Overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25, while Obesity is having a BMI greater 30. Women who are overweight or obese may take longer to get pregnant and may need more help from fertility treatments. Obesity can cause high insulin levels, which may lead to a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS can make it harder to get pregnant (1). Obesity and Men Men also play a big role in fertility. Up to 50% of fertility problems are related to men, with 31.5% being due to issues only with the man (2). Obesity in men can lead to problems with sperm, low testosterone, and even difficulty in getting orkeeping an erection.

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Pregnant

The best advice for both men and women with obesity is to lose weight. Losing weight can be hard, but it can make a big difference (3). Here’s what you can do:

1. Diet and Exercise: It doesn't matter if you choose low-fat, low-carb, or other diets. The important thing is finding one you can stick to. Cardio and resistance training exercises can also help. Cardio helps burn fat, and resistance training helps keep muscles strong.

2. Weight Loss Medication: Talk to a medical weight loss specialist about medications that can help. Some people lose up to 20% of their weight with these medications. But remember, you should stop taking these medications at least 2 months before trying to get pregnant.

3. Bariatric Surgery: For those considering surgery, it’s recommended to avoid getting pregnant for at least 18 months after the procedure. Surgery can lead to significant weight loss, but it’s a big decision that should be discussed with a doctor.

4. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART): If losing weight isn’t enough, you might consider options like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Talk to your doctor about what’s best for you.

Good Luck on Your Journey!

Bringing a new life into the world is a wonderful journey. Stay healthy, stay strong, and take the steps that are right for you and your partner.

Stay Healthy, Stay Strong

Dr. Leon Katz