Learn more about the effects of weight and male fertility

Research shows a link between weight and male fertility. Specifically, obesity, or being overweight, can be a contributing factor male infertility.

Many male patients are surprised to learn that, like women, extra weight has an effect on their fertility. While extra body weight can cause fertility struggles and other health issues, our Louisiana fertility doctors offer treatments and positive lifestyle suggestions to help.

What is the relationship between weight and male fertility?

With obesity rates on the rise, you probably already know that being overweight can negatively affect your overall health. Being overweight or obese as a man can also make it more difficult for a couple to conceive. In fact, men who weigh just 20 pounds more than their ideal weight are 10% more likely to have male infertility.

There is a definite relationship between weight and male fertility:

• Research shows that lower sperm counts are directly correlated to a man’s higher body mass index (BMI). Weight and male fertility impacts include decreased sperm quality and movement. These factors can make it more difficult to conceive, while low sperm quality can also lead to miscarriage.
• Hormonal imbalances often accompany obesity. Excess body weight causes the male hormone testosterone to turn into the female hormone estrogen. When a man has higher than normal estrogen levels, his testicles are likely to produce less sperm.
• Another problem in obese men is that the scrotum often remains in close contact with the body. Being closer to the surrounding body tissues raises the temperature of the scrotum, which keeps the sperm at a higher temperature. This higher temperature can damage the sperm.

Weight loss can improve male fertility

Because a healthy weight can also mean better fertility, our Louisiana fertility specialists recommend weight loss to improve your fertility. A healthy diet and exercise regimen can lead to better sperm quality and more balanced male hormones. Even just a modest drop in a man’s BMI has helped many couples conceive.

If you are still having trouble conceiving after weight loss, diagnostic testing can be used to create an individualized treatment plan to help you conceive a child. Other alternative therapies to help you create a baby include intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These treatments can often overcome many male fertility issues.

Contact us if you have questions about how you can improve your fertility. Our experienced fertility experts can help you achieve your family-building goals.