With increase in Body Mass Index (BMI), there’s been an alarming rise in infertility amongst men and women in Coimbatore.
After four years of marriage, Mr.Raman, (34) and his wife Sangeetha, (30) were planning to start a family. Six months of trying did not help, and the couple began to wonder why they were not able to conceive.
Sangeetha’s close friends recommended her to consult a fertility specialist. Raman’s lipid profile was checked, and Dr.Latha, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility in Coimbatore recommended both Raman and Sangeetha to undergo routine tests. While Sangeetha’s results were normal, it was found that Raman’s sperm count and quality were poor. The consultant suspected severe obesity as one of the reasons behind the case.
Cases like that of Raman and Sangeetha is becoming a common phenomenon in Coimbatore and different parts of Tamil Nadu these days. Obesity levels among men and women in Tamil Nadu have seen an increase of over ten percentage points over the last decade, as recorded by the National Family Health Survery-4 (NFHS4) released in 2014-15. According to the survey, in the 15- 49 years age group, 30.9% of women and 28.2% of men are obese in Tamil Nadu. This is a steep increase from the NFHS3 figures (2005-2006), which were 20.9 in women and 14.5 in men.
Dr.Latha, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, Coimbatore said, “At Nova IVI Fertility, we are seeing a rise in young couples, aged between 30-35 years, visiting the facility in last one year, and obesity is found in at least 22% of the cases - with either partner or both in some cases. Often, a high BMI is coupled with increased stress and anxiety. The couples who want to start a family, whether naturally or taking the IVF route, should know they need to be physically and mentally fit. When the body mass index (BMI) exceeds 25, it decreases the chance of pregnancy and impairs with the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques.”
Obesity and the inability to conceive can be interlinked. Research has indicated that overweight and obese women may ovulate less regularly, making it more difficult to plan a baby during the exact window when they are most fertile. Being obese can also lead to abnormal hormone issues affecting the reproductive process. This abnormal hormone signals negatively impact the ovulation process. It can also cause over production of insulin that results in irregular ovulation and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In men, obesity can lead to low sperm count. Excess fat tampers with testosterone levels in the body, and thus reduces the testicle stimulation, inhibiting sperm production.
“Even if pregnancy is achieved, obese women have a higher rate of miscarriage due to hormonal imbalance and other issues. We recommend our patients to follow a healthy diet and exercise regime that will help them retain good health and a high fertility score. Weight loss is extremely valuable, can enhance fertility, and lead to successful pregnancies for a long term. It is important to note that fertility specialists advise weight loss before IVF treatments such as IUI or ICSI. Apart from keeping their own weight under control, parents should also ensure that their children are not overweight, as obesity is a growing among kids as well,” Dr.Latha added.
Having a check on one’s weight will not only help prevent other deadly diseases but also save one’s fertility. It is necessary for both men and women to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with some regular physical workouts and a balanced diet to live the dream of healthy parenthood.
For more information, visit www.novaivifertility.com.
After four years of marriage, Mr.Raman, (34) and his wife Sangeetha, (30) were planning to start a family. Six months of trying did not help, and the couple began to wonder why they were not able to conceive.
Sangeetha’s close friends recommended her to consult a fertility specialist. Raman’s lipid profile was checked, and Dr.Latha, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility in Coimbatore recommended both Raman and Sangeetha to undergo routine tests. While Sangeetha’s results were normal, it was found that Raman’s sperm count and quality were poor. The consultant suspected severe obesity as one of the reasons behind the case.
Cases like that of Raman and Sangeetha is becoming a common phenomenon in Coimbatore and different parts of Tamil Nadu these days. Obesity levels among men and women in Tamil Nadu have seen an increase of over ten percentage points over the last decade, as recorded by the National Family Health Survery-4 (NFHS4) released in 2014-15. According to the survey, in the 15- 49 years age group, 30.9% of women and 28.2% of men are obese in Tamil Nadu. This is a steep increase from the NFHS3 figures (2005-2006), which were 20.9 in women and 14.5 in men.
Dr.Latha, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility, Coimbatore said, “At Nova IVI Fertility, we are seeing a rise in young couples, aged between 30-35 years, visiting the facility in last one year, and obesity is found in at least 22% of the cases - with either partner or both in some cases. Often, a high BMI is coupled with increased stress and anxiety. The couples who want to start a family, whether naturally or taking the IVF route, should know they need to be physically and mentally fit. When the body mass index (BMI) exceeds 25, it decreases the chance of pregnancy and impairs with the outcome of assisted reproductive techniques.”
Obesity and the inability to conceive can be interlinked. Research has indicated that overweight and obese women may ovulate less regularly, making it more difficult to plan a baby during the exact window when they are most fertile. Being obese can also lead to abnormal hormone issues affecting the reproductive process. This abnormal hormone signals negatively impact the ovulation process. It can also cause over production of insulin that results in irregular ovulation and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In men, obesity can lead to low sperm count. Excess fat tampers with testosterone levels in the body, and thus reduces the testicle stimulation, inhibiting sperm production.
“Even if pregnancy is achieved, obese women have a higher rate of miscarriage due to hormonal imbalance and other issues. We recommend our patients to follow a healthy diet and exercise regime that will help them retain good health and a high fertility score. Weight loss is extremely valuable, can enhance fertility, and lead to successful pregnancies for a long term. It is important to note that fertility specialists advise weight loss before IVF treatments such as IUI or ICSI. Apart from keeping their own weight under control, parents should also ensure that their children are not overweight, as obesity is a growing among kids as well,” Dr.Latha added.
Having a check on one’s weight will not only help prevent other deadly diseases but also save one’s fertility. It is necessary for both men and women to maintain a healthy lifestyle, with some regular physical workouts and a balanced diet to live the dream of healthy parenthood.
For more information, visit www.novaivifertility.com.