Infertility is often as hard on your body as it is on your emotions. Couples having difficulty conceiving may try fertility treatments including pills, injectable drugs and in-vitro fertilization. All of these treatments have multiple side effects, including nausea, mood swings, swollen ovaries and weight gain. It is ironic that weight gain is a possible side effect from fertility treatments because, according to the Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, being overweight makes treatment less likely to succeed. Losing weight before continuing treatment is important, but it must be done safely in case a pregnancy occurs.
Step 1
Increasing the amount of water you drink is a simple step that can help you to lose weight. Water can curb hunger and decrease the amount you eat. A 2003 study led by Jens Jordan at the Franz-Volhard Clinical Research Center found that those who drank two liters of water per day burned more calories than people who drank less water.
Step 2
Exercising moderately can aid in weight loss. Because many treatments for infertility cause painful swollen ovaries and sore breasts, low-impact exercises such as walking and yoga may be more comfortable. It is important not to overdo it, however. A study led by Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that women who engaged in strenuous exercise every day were three times more likely to have fertility problems.
Step 3
Change your diet. Cutting 500 calories out of your diet each day equals one pound of weight loss. However, because you are dealing with infertility issues, you may want to eat accordingly. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, led by Dr. Jorge Chavarro, diet is linked with fertility. Women who ate less sugar and trans fats consumed more protein from vegetables than animal sources and ate more fiber and iron had greater fertility. The one exception was that high-fat dairy consumption was linked with better fertility.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult with your doctor before beginning any weight loss programs while undergoing fertility treatments.
- Do not go on any strict "crash" diets that drastically reduce calorie intake; this may not be safe while trying to get pregnant. Do not take any over-the-counter weight loss pills without first consulting with your doctor.
References
- Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago: Weight and Fertility
- Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism: Water-Induced Thermogenesis
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology: Too Much Exercise Can Reduce a Woman's Fertility
- Harvard School of Public Health: Changes to Diet and Lifestyle May Prevent Infertility
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