Many factors such as age and weight affect fertility. Although being overweight has become a major focus when discussing the inability to conceive, being underweight is also a major concern. The relationship between the inability to conceive and low body weight is also very complex. It can be attributed to many different factors such as irregular diets and imbalanced hormones.
This article highlights the problems associated with being underweight and the difficulties of being unable to conceive. It examines the causes of low body weight, the potential implications of being underweight, and strategies that can increase the chances of becoming pregnant.
What Constitutes Being Underweight?
There are many ways to measure whether a person has an appropriate amount of body weight. One of these is Body Mass Index (BMI). An individual is classified as being underweight if their BMI is below 18.5.
BMI Classifications:
– Underweight: BMI is lower than 18.5
– Healthy: BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9
– Overweight: BMI is between 25 and 29.9
– Obese: BMI is greater than or equal to 30
BMI is a rough measurement of health; however, it is a useful assessment tool for concerns related to the inability to conceive.
Body fat is important for female hormone and reproductive health. Women that are significantly underweight do not have the fat stores to produce enough estrogen.
Hormonal Imbalances
Estrogen is important for female reproduction. It controls the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. Low body fat results in low estrogen and is disruptive to reproductive health.
Some hormonal effects include:
– Low estrogen
– Irregular follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
– Irregular luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
– Egg maturation issues
– Irregular ovulation
When hormones are imbalanced, becoming pregnant is more difficult.
Irregular Ovulation and Anovulation
Irregular ovulation is one of the most common infertility issues for underweight women.
What is Anovulation?
Anovulation is the failure to ovulate during the menstrual cycle. Without ovulation, women cannot conceive.
Some symptoms are:
– Irregular cycles
– Missed cycles
– Very light cycles
– Long cycles
– Infertility
Women with low BMIs often have hypothalamic dysfunction, which disrupts the hormonal signals for ovulation.
Amenorrhea and Fertility Problems
Amenorrhea is the absence of a menstrual period. It is common for women who are significantly underweight.
Why Does Amenorrhea Occur?
The body interprets low body fat or calorie restriction as a state of stress. To conserve resources, the body shuts down the reproductive system.
Some causes of amenorrhea are:
– Eating Disorders
– Excessive exercise
-Chronic dieting
– Malnutrition
– Significant weight loss
Infrequent menstruation contributes to decreased fertility.
Nutritional Deficiencies and Reproductive Health
Nutrition directly influences reproductive health.
Women who are underweight lack nutrients including the following required for fertility:
Iron
Deficiencies can disrupt ovulation and increase exhaustion.
Folate
Folate is necessary for healthy ova and optimal pregnancy.
Vitamin D
Deficiency of Vitamin D has been associated with infertility and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 Fatty Acids assist hormonal balance and reproductive function.
Zinc
Zinc also influences the formation of hormones and the quality of ova.
Deficiencies also negatively impact pregnancy outcomes.
Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes
Women who are underweight also experience increased pregnancy-related risks despite conception.
Pregnancy Complications
– Miscarriage
– Preterm Birth
– Low Birth Weight Babies
– Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
– Maternal Nutritional Deficiencies
– Increased Maternal Health Complications
If risk factors are eliminated and women attain a healthy weight before conception, the risks also are decreased.
Common Causes of Being Underweight
Fertility issues can be attributed to being underweight for a variety of reasons.
Eating Disorders
Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa disrupt the reproductive endocrine system.
Excessive Physical Activity
Excessive exercise paired with negative energy balance can result in ovulatory dysfunction.
Chronic Illness
Celiac Disease, Hyperthyroidism, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Diabetes can also cause chronic weight loss with poor nutrition.
Stress
Long-term emotional stress can influence weight, appetite, and hormones related to reproduction.
Genetic Factors
Some women have naturally small body frames and low body weights. However, low body weight can negatively impact fertility.
Indicators That Low Weight Can Impact Your Fertility
If women are concerned that low body weight can negatively impact their fertility, women can look for the following signs.
Indicators that low body weight can negatively impact fertility:
– Absence of menstrual cycle or irregular menstrual cycles.
– Attempts to conceive that have not been successful for several months.
– The presence of a negative body image.
If low body weight is thought to be a negative factor for fertility, then a fertility specialist should be consulted.
Why Weight Gain Can Positively Impact Fertility
Studies show that the fertility of women who are classified as being underweight has improved after reaching a healthy body weight.
Why Healthy Weight Gain Benefits Fertility
– Decreased risk of pregnancy complications in the future.
– Higher quality eggs.
– Higher rates of conception and less complications of pregnancy.
– More regular menstrual cycles.
– Ovulation becomes more predictable.
– Better hormone levels.
– Less risk of negative impacts on future fertility.
Best Dietary Guidelines to Gain Weight for Women Who Are Trying to Conceive
Eating more calories should be focused on eating more nutrient dense foods rather than foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients.
Best Fats to Gain Weight
Hormones are made from fats, and fats can be helpful for health and fertility, so include a variety of the following fats in the diet:
– Avocados
– Nuts
– Seeds
– Olive Oil
– Fatty Fish
Best Proteins to Gain Weight
Incorporating healthier protein sources will aid in weight gain and fertility as proteins are helpful for tissue growth and development:
– Eggs
– Lean Meats
– Fish
– Dairy
– Legumes
Have Healthy Carbohydrates
Healthy carbohydrates give you energy and help you keep your hormones in balance.
Some examples are:
– Whole grains
– Sweet potatoes
– Oats
– Brown rice
Maintain Consistency
Having meals and snacks regularly helps satisfy your body’s healthy weight gain while also helping your body recover and improve the chances of getting pregnant.
Changes in Your Daily Routine that can Help You get Pregnant
Apart from your diet, some more changes in your daily routine can improve your chances of having a baby.
Less Working Out
Working out is healthy and even helps you balance your hormones, but too much working out can actually stop you from ovulating.
Control your Stress
There’s a lot of different ways that you can manage your stress like:
– Meditation
– Yoga
– Breathing exercises
– Therapy
– Getting enough sleep
Keep a Lookout for your Menstrual Cycles
Tracking your cycle can help show that you’re starting to ovulate more regularly.
Get Help from a Doctor
A doctor can look at your hormones and how they’re affecting your nutrition and your fertility.
Help from Doctors for Problems Getting Pregnant
If you are still facing difficulties getting pregnant even after you restore a healthy weight, you can look into some medical options.
Getting Pregnant Medicines
Some of these can help you to start ovulating.
Hormone Medicines
These can help to start your period again.
Nutritional Help
These specialized diet plans can help you to become pregnant.
Fertility Treatments
Some of these can include:
– IUI
– IVF
When to Start Going to a Fertility Specialist
Women should start going to a Fertility Specialist when they have a:
– BMI of less than 18.5
– are underweight and have no periods
– have irregular periods
– have been trying to get pregnant with no success
– have an eating disorder or are underweight and have fluctuating weight
Fertility outcomes tend to improve with early interventions.
Conclusion
Women being underweight is known to be a cause for infertility. A low body weight can create hormonal inconsistencies and lead to issues with ovulation. Being underweight also increases the risk of pregnancy challenges. The positive side of these issues is that being underweight is one of the few infertility causes that can change with weight gain and better nutrition.
Women wanting to get pregnant should look at their weight, nutrition, and lifestyle choices for better opportunities of conceiving and sustain a healthy pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. A person who is underweight often will have disrupted hormone synthesis and prevent ovulation.
A BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 usually is related to the best reproductive health and fertility.
Yes, weight gain helps regulate menstruation and improves the chances for pregnancy.
It varies, but many women see improvement in their menstrual and ovulatory functions within a few months after reaching a healthier weight.
