Metabolic Conditions Affecting Fertility
Your metabolic health plays a crucial role in fertility. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension can disrupt hormone balance, making it harder for your body to ovulate and conceive. Maintaining good metabolic health can support reproductive function and increase the chances of fertility.
Metabolic Conditions Affecting Fertility
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Your metabolic health plays a crucial role in fertility. Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension can disrupt hormone balance, making it harder for your body to ovulate and conceive. Maintaining good metabolic health can support reproductive function and increase the chances of fertility.
Chapter 1
Obesity
Obesity is the first condition covered in this module, starting with the World Health Organization definition and how it is measured using Body Mass Index, where a BMI over 30 is classed as obese. The chapter then explains three ways excess weight may affect female fertility: by disrupting hormone levels and ovulation, by driving insulin resistance that can lead to excess androgen production in the ovaries, and through chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. It finishes with the role of a balanced diet and regular exercise in managing weight, and recommends working with a healthcare provider on a weight management plan personalised to you.
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Chapter 2
Diabetes
This chapter turns to diabetes, explaining the difference between Type 1, where the pancreas produces little or no insulin, and Type 2, where the body becomes resistant to it. After setting out how common the condition is around the world, it looks at the link between Type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, a common cause of infertility that disrupts menstruation and ovulation. It also describes how high blood sugar during pregnancy is linked to complications for the baby, such as growing larger than average. The chapter closes with ways to monitor and manage blood sugar through diet, exercise and medication, working closely with your healthcare team.
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lockChapter 3
Hypertension
High blood pressure, defined here as 140/90 mmHg or higher, is the focus of the final chapter. It outlines how common hypertension has become and the main risk factors, including older age, genetics, obesity, physical inactivity and a high-salt diet. The chapter explains how raised blood pressure can affect fertility in both men and women, partly through reduced blood flow, and notes that some traditional blood pressure medicines are thought to cause erectile dysfunction while newer drugs appear to have neutral effects. Lifestyle changes are presented as the first-line treatment, with a reminder that metabolic health is an important part of preparing for a healthy pregnancy.
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