Plus-Sized Fertility

When you�re a plus-sized woman, you may hear quite often that you�ll need to lose weight if you want to get pregnant. But is this really true? Women that are overweight can get pregnant, right? Of course! Unfortunately, though, for those in the plus size category, it can sometimes be a bit harder. Disorders, like polycystic ovarian syndrome and hypothyroidism, that can interfere with your fertility tend to appear to appear more often in plus size women. However, these issues can be overcome, sometimes through weight loss and other times by medication.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal disorder amongst American women. It is defined as a disturbance in the reproductive cycle that is caused by numerous cysts on the ovaries. A woman can develop this disorder in her adolescence or adulthood. The syndrome is characterized by abnormal or absent menstruation cycles and excess androgen hormones.

The exact cause of PCOS is yet unclear but there seems to be strong link between the disorder and insulin resistance, whereby your body is unable to use insulin efficiently. This excess insulin, coupled with extra androgens in the system, tends to make it easier for women with PCOS to put on weight but harder to take it off. While not all women with PCOS have insulin resistance, one study found that 75% of overweight PCOS sufferers are insulin resistant. In addition to causing a host of PCOS symptoms, being insulin resistant will likely mean that your periods are irregular and that ovulation won't always occur, making pregnancy difficult.

If you are trying to get pregnant, you should consult a fertility specialist to undergo testing and discuss your fertility treatment options. Although it's not easy, studies have shown that losing as little as 5% of your body weight, through regular exercise and following a healthy diet, can be enough to help control your insulin levels and kick starting your menstrual cycle. However, losing weight is not always possible or enough of a solution to help you get pregnant. Therefore, it is also possible to turn to fertility drugs, such as clomid or hormone replacement drugs to help you become pregnant.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Since the hormones secreted by the thyroid gland are responsible for controlling your metabolism, when too few hormones are produced, you are much more likely to easily put on weight but have a harder time taking it off (though not all women with hypothyroidism will be overweight). Additionally, hypothyroidism can disrupt your menstrual cycles and cause anovulation and without an egg, it will be nearly impossible to get pregnant.

One of the easiest ways to overcome infertility due to hypothyroidism is by getting your thyroid hormones under control. This can be done through medications that will regulate your hormones. Once your thyroid begins to function properly again, other issues, like anovulation should straighten themselves out. If they don't, or you are still having troubles conceiving, consult with a fertility specialist to make sure there are no other underlying factors that need to be treated. In some cases, using fertility medications or assisted reproductive techniques, like IVF may be necessary.

Luteal Phase Defect
A luteal phase defect (LPD) refers to an irregularity in a women's menstrual cycle between ovulation and her next period. In most women, the luteal phase lasts 10 to 14 days. In women with a luteal phase defect, however, the phase lasts less than 10 days or more than 14 days.

Women with a luteal phase defect do not produce enough progesterone to form the uterine lining necessary to prepare for a possible pregnancy. Consequently, a pregnant woman with luteal phase defect may suffer from a miscarriage. If you suspect you have luteal phase defect and want to become pregnant, your doctor will check your progesterone levels and if they are deemed sufficient, she may give you hormone replacement drugs or ovary stimulants.

Excess Estrogen
Estrogen overload is common in American women due to the presence of xenoestrogen compounds that are found in meat, milk products and plastic food packaging. Plus size women are at particular risk of having too much estrogen in their bodies since fat cells produce estrogen. The more fat cells you have, the more estrogen your body will produce. As with any hormone imbalance, too much estrogen will in fertility problems.

Excess estrogen in overweight women disturbs menstruation cycles and causes infertility. For pregnant women, a surplus of estrogen may cause miscarriage or a stillbirth. However, being overweight is not the only reason for excess estrogen in the system. Other reasons can include a hormonal imbalance, problems with the adrenal glands, too much fat in your diet, and hormone replacement therapy.

To help determine the precise reason for the excess estrogen in your system, your fertility specialist will want to test your hormone levels. Depending on the reason for the increased estrogen levels, your doctor may prescribe progesterone treatments to correct estrogen overload while your diet and exercise routines may also be examined.

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