Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, and all the evidences suggests that the situation is likely to get worse ahead. In India also, an alarming trend is that overweight/obese women as well as men population has been more than doubled in 2015-16 since last one and a half decade.
We all know that being overweight can negatively affect a person’s overall health. Being overweight or obese as a man can also make it more difficult for a couple to conceive. In fact, men who weigh just 20 pounds (9 kgs) more than their ideal weight are 10% more likely to have maleinfertility.
The link between obesity and male infertility is clear, but what is proposed mechanism for the same??
Different researches have given below mentioned factors responsible for affecting chances of fertility –
- The higher a man’s body mass index (BMI), the more likely he is to have a low sperm count. He is also more likely to have decreased sperm quality and movement. These factors can make it more difficult to conceive, while low sperm quality can also lead to miscarriage.
- Being overweight or obese can lead to hormonal imbalances. If a man’s body has excess body weight, the male hormone testosterone turns into the female hormone estrogen. When a man has higher than normal estrogen levels, his testicles are less likely to produce sperm.
- Another problem in obese men is that the scrotum often remains in close contact with the body. Being closer to the surrounding body tissues raises the temperature of the scrotum, which keeps the sperm at a higher temperature. This higher temperature can damage the sperm
What is the Solution:
Due to the link between obesity and male infertility, it is often recommended, to loose weight to improve fertility. When patients lose weight by eating a healthy diet and exercising, they improve their odds of conceiving. In fact, many couples can conceive quite quickly after the man lowers his BMI from an unhealthy level. This is also true for the female partner.
If a couple is still having trouble conceiving after losing weight, we as, fertility doctors will use diagnostic testing to create an individualized fertility treatment plan. Treatment may include intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), depending on a couple’s situation.
What you can do
The good news is that by making some changes – eating healthy meals and doing some regular exercise, you can work towards a healthier weight to improve your chance of pregnancy and having a healthy baby.
If you or your partner are overweight or obese, losing even a few kilos can improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Losing weight is not easy, and it takes commitment and time. But for most people, it is possible. Research shows that if partners get healthier together, there’s a better chance of success. Having support from a partner, family or friend can help you set up healthy lifestyle habits for the future.
Men who start healthy eating and exercise more often can increase the quality of their sperm.
Ways to Male Healthier Changes
- Avoid short-term fancy diets or changes that you are unlikely to continue in the future.
- Set small achievable goals that you can manage (e.g. taking the stairs rather than the lift, using a pedometer to count your steps each day, swapping juice or soft drinks for water).
- Be realistic and build your goals up slowly over time.
- Everyone is different. Find a way that works best for you, and fits into your lifestyle.
