Ovulation and weight loss facts

Approximately two out of three of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. These individuals are at high risk for numerous chronic diseases and fertility issues. The health and economic consequences of obesity are potentially devastating for the individual. Thankfully losing weight can help with many of these problems. Let’s explore ovulation and weight loss.

The facts about obesity

I have read before to “think of genetics as a loaded gun and the environment/lifestyle as pulling the trigger”. If you put a person who is predisposed to diabetes in an environment that promotes weight gain, the patient will most likely get the disease. Conversely, if you put the same person in a different environment where it is difficult to gain weight, the disease may never manifest.

Exploring ovulation and weight loss

Infertility can strike 1 in 8 couples during their lifetime. Problems with ovulation occur in 20 -30% of cases, with most of being polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This is a condition presents irregular or absent menstrual periods. It also causes other medical issues, which can predispose women to diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Although treatment options are available for women who are not ovulating regularly, altering lifestyle can have a major positive impact on ovulation. This is the importance of ovulation and weight loss. Losing weight (fat) with low carbohydrate, low-calorie diets, and increasing physical activity can help patients with PCOS who are overweight or obese. Many of these women who make changes in their lifestyle can achieve regular, cyclic, and predictable menses with spontaneous ovulation. This can significantly increase the chance of conception without having some of the drawbacks of fertility medications.

Also, a healthier pre-pregnancy weight can be important in reducing the chances of c-section, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other obstetric issues. Contact us to learn more about ovulation and weight loss.