Just as obesity has its drawbacks, so does being underweight. New studies have shown that underweight women are more prone to fertility problems, which can lead to infertility.
Scientists at the Harvard School of Public Health found that being underweight has several negative aspects. Consuming a consistently low-fat diet, even with regular exercise, can affect a woman's ability to conceive, even if she appears healthy and strong and is still within her childbearing age.
They warned that losing even a small amount of weight, as little as 1.5 kilograms, can put underweight women at risk of infertility. Similarly, being overweight or underweight, significantly below the normal range, can negatively impact a woman's chances of becoming pregnant.
A low percentage of body fat increases the risk of infertility. The normal body fat percentage for women is 25 percent, while for men it is only 12 percent. Experts pointed out that many women who maintain a slim figure actually suffer from infertility problems, even if they appear healthy and lead normal lives.
Research has shown that a premenstrual girl, five feet three inches tall, should weigh at least 41 kilograms to be able to conceive. A woman in her twenties, of the same height, should weigh over 46 kilograms to continue ovulating.
Specialists explained that a woman's body fat converts the small amounts of male androgens into the female hormone estrogen. It also controls the flow of leptin, the hormone responsible for regulating appetite, metabolism, and energy, and which affects fertility. They noted that a successful pregnancy requires approximately 50,000 calories, an amount greater than normal metabolic requirements. If the body does not have these necessary calories, the brain will reduce leptin levels, thus impairing fertility. Scientists have confirmed that good nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining women's reproductive health. Excess weight or extreme thinness negatively impacts ovarian function and can cause irregular menstrual cycles, which are a protective mechanism against problems that may occur during pregnancy. They may even stop menstruation altogether. The scientists warned that thin women who consume only skimmed dairy products, lettuce, pastries, and numerous diet drinks are putting themselves at risk of infertility and difficulties conceiving.