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Weight influences fertility, experts say

Category: Infertitlity Hormone Testing

FSH test results indicating impaired fertility are more common than many people would think. Millions of couples have a difficult time conceiving. Experts say that high obesity rates may play an important role in the situation.

Dr. Karen Lee of the Fort Worth Fertility Associations said that about half of the women who try to become pregnant are overweight or obese at the time. This can make conceiving much more difficult.

"Everyone knows that being overweight can contribute to health issues during pregnancy," Dr. Lee said. "Most people don't realize that it can lower your chance of conceiving by 5 percent if you are overweight and 25 to 50 if you are obese. Being obese can also increase the risk of miscarriage by greater than 50 percent."

She added that many other factors that determine fertility are out of the control of most people. The difficulties that come with hormonal imbalances or age are difficult to overcome. However, a woman's weight is well within her own control. This makes recognizing the role weight plays in fertility all the more important.