Fertility is one such problem which most of us are not comfortable to talk about. Additionally, discussing the issue of losing weight is also difficult. But what if you get to know that your weight is affecting your chances to get pregnant.
You might know this already that having normal weight is really essential for conceiving successfully. We know trying to lose weight is not easy. But this is also true you need to control some things which affect male infertility.
Does Obesity Affect Sperm Count?
Overweight and low sperm count are related to each other. Here is some research which shows this connection:
- The study of Stanford University included 501 couples who were trying to conceive. In this, the men who were overweight were 20 times more likely to have sperm count very low as compared to men who have a healthy weight.
- A French Mega study which included around 13,077 men who were overweight had a very low sperm count. In some cases, there were men who have zero sperm count.
- The study of Harvard University showed that men who are overweight have low sperm count by 42% in comparison to those who have normal weight. Additionally, there were men who do not produce any sperm which was around 81%.
How Do A Few Extra Pounds Affect The Sperm Count?
Having excess fat in your body is linked with more production of estrogen. But, extra fat is affecting the level of testosterone in the body. The testosterone is necessary because the testicles need them to do their job effectively. This means that the sperm count will get affected because of this issue.
But you should not worry as the infertility treatment is available to treat the issue of low sperm count.
What Is The Ideal Weight?
According to BMI (Body Mass Index), sperm production and weight are categorized by:
- Healthy: 18.5 to 24.9
- Underweight < 18.5
- Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
- Obese > 30.0
This means you should keep your weight is the range of 18.5 to 25.0. losing a few extra pounds will increase your chances to conceive successfully. Additionally, making a few lifestyle changes in your daily routine will make sperm production to get back on track. Keep in mind that you should limit the use of hot tubs, saunas, limit the use of coffee, oily food, and do not drink.
If you are not sure which food item will help then you should consult the doctor. He/she will tell you about the entire process and tell you which treatment option will help you to conceive.
