I recently had the exciting opportunity to educate gynecologists and fertility specialists throughout India on the role of semaglutide in women’s reproductive health.
This allowed me to take a deep dive into the research and medical data answering the question: can obesity treatments improve women’s health outcomes and fertility rates?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Here are some key takeaways on obesity and fertility and how weight loss can affect women’s reproductive health:
1-Obesity is a Risk Factor for Impaired Fertility in both Women and Men
Women with overweight or obesity have a higher occurrence of menstrual irregularity and not ovulating normally leading to reproductive challenges.
These abnormalities lead to more difficulties conceiving and infertility, higher miscarriage rates and pregnancy complications.
Men may also be affected by obesity by having lower levels of testosterone, sperm counts and sperm quality.
With the rising numbers of obesity among young adults of childbearing age combined with the secular trend to delay family planning, difficulties with conception and infertility are real concerns.
2-Improving Metabolic Health can Improve Reproductive Health
Modest weight loss of 5% to 10% can help restore normal menstruation and spontaneous ovulation.
For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who often face greater reproductive challenges, the use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) is becoming more common.
For women with PCOS and obesity particularly, the use of obesity medications, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, along with metformin have been found to be beneficial in reducing body weight and improving the metabolic abnormalities associated with this condition leading to increased restoration of a regular menstrual cycle.
Semaglutide or tirzepatide must be discontinued at least 8 weeks prior to planned conception as they are not approved for use during pregnancy.
3-Healthy Living is Still Foundational to Improving Women’s Health and Fertility
It is important to emphasize that the primary treatment for obesity and infertility is weight loss through lifestyle intervention that combines diet, physical activity and behavioral change.
Similarly, the decision to use obesity medication is always in addition to providing active lifestyle counseling.
Though the disease of obesity is complex, lifestyle modification can be simplified and should be targeted to each person’s needs.
RK
Robert Kushner, MD
