Most people in the US then are aware that being overweight can lead to a host of health problems. Some of the health problems linked to overweight include increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and even certain kinds of cancer. There is an additional problem linked to overweight that typically doesn’t get much consideration however: the link between overweight women and an inability to conceive children. Having trouble getting pregnant may not seem as significant as having a heart attack or stroke, but it is a real consideration for some people. Though the data is not necessarily clear-cut, there seem to be a number of reasons why overweight women can have difficulty conceiving. One reason may have to do with a particular hormonal imbalance. Leptin is a hormone that’s typically deficient in people who are overweight. Leptin is thought to play a role in appetite regulation and energy levels. Leptin may also be linked to fertility levels in women: the lower the levels of Leptin in a woman’s body, the more difficult it may be for a woman to conceive.
A second link between overweight and a difficulty getting pregnant is thought to be the ovulation cycle. Women who are overweight and obese can have ovulation cycles that are abnormal and even non-existent. The problem here of course is that ovulation is when a woman’s fertility capacity is replenished and renewed. Without the capacity for fertility to begin with, pregnancy is not just difficult but impossible. Lastly it’s possible that women who are significantly overweight may not have the overall good health needed to conceive a child. Despite what some people may believe, conception isn’t guaranteed: among women, those who are younger and in good health are more likely to become pregnant.
