Can we talk about weight?

CashewsMommy · November 2011

Can someone enlighten me? I know we have all heard that being overweight can cause fertility problems and can weaken your chances on getting pregnant. But... why? Maybe i'm being a little naive here, but what makes my ute so different from a person who is not overweight?

I guess i'm looking at those who are overweight and have "normal" cycles. And those who are overweight and do not have PCOS. I can safely assume being overweight causes my irregular and long cycles... but what about those who are regular? What about those who are otherwise healthy?

Everything I have read just shows "studies have found being overweight decreases chances" but why does it decrease? What does it do to make it decrease? How does being overweight really make the egg and sperm hard to meet? How does it harm implantation?

Does anyone know? Or has anyone heard why?

Allie-Jo · November 2011

I wish I had a clue. I am not very overweight in my eyes (yes I am pushing 200lds and I am 5'3", but no one guesses that), but I know it is not good that after HS the lack of activity and working a desk job is why I put on 60lbs since the 5 years I have been out of HS. Shortly into the rapid putting on of weight PCOS symptoms started showing up, including wonky cycles. I know I am probably genetically predispositioned to it, but if I would have kept my weight under control, I probably wouldn't have as harsh of PCOS symptoms...

mork · November 2011

I'd really love to know the answers to these questions. I'm overweight and "regular," with no symptoms of PCOS. How exactly would my weight be affecting me in all this?

None of my docs have mentioned anything about my weight (200 lbs at 5'2"), but I have a suspicion it's only because I do have fairly "normal" cycles, and a lack of PCOS symptoms. I kind of want to ask them, but then I'm afraid I'll get the brush off and some comment like "well, it would be better if you could shed a few pounds." Yea, because, like, I haven't tried.

lotus88 · November 2011

My bare bones knowledge here. . . I assume that it has to do with how hormones are stored in fat? Through my TTC journey I went from 180-200lbs at 5'7". My cycles have stayed regular. They never brought up my weight, but I was always worried about it.

Someone will know more about this. I'm curious myself.

Rawr08 · November 2011

lotus88:

My bare bones knowledge here. . . I assume that it has to do with how hormones are stored in fat? Through my TTC journey I went from 180-200lbs at 5'7". My cycles have stayed regular. They never brought up my weight, but I was always worried about it.

Someone will know more about this. I'm curious myself.

This. I have done a lot of research into it, because I have seen MANY women my size or bigger get pregnant and have a healthy baby. It does have to do with the amount of hormones your body produces. I am not sure WHY being overweight would cause you to produce less hormones, or maybe there is just more body for the same amount of hormones to cover? Another thing I read was most overweight women have a LPD. I also wondered why the RE would not do testing on me, seems if my tubes are clear/blocked, they would stay that way no matter what my weight.

Steph, have you clicked the link in my siggy about big girls having babies? If not, check it out. I love the blog. A lot of the reading I have done says that losing as little as 10% of your weight can increase your chances. I don't get it. Have you joined My Fitness Pal? It's a great site, it helps you be accountable. I'm sorry I have stopped with the Plus Size Check In, I just don't have the patients for TTCAL anymore.

Onward. I am "morbidly obese" and have "normal" periods. I O anywhere from CD15-24, and almost always have a 10 day LP. I seem to have all the physical symptoms of PCOS, but none having to do with my ute. When I have more free time later in the day I will do some more research and let you know what I find.

Hang in there hun, I know this TTC sh!t sucks donkey balls, and I wish I could say something to make you feel better about it. You have heard it all before.