Is there a connection between a woman’s weight and infertility?

Does a woman’s weight have any affect on her ability to conceive?
The truth is yes, being underweight or overweight can affect a woman’s fertility, though the extent may vary from person to person.

How being underweight affects women’s fertility?
Low weight or weight loss can decrease the production of GnRH, a hormone which is critical for the development of eggs in the ovaries. In such a scenario ovulation may either stop or become irregular. Also because of this hormonal imbalance the uterus lining may not be able to receive a fertilized egg when ovulation does occur.

How being overweight affect’s a women’s ability to conceive?
Being overweight can also cause a hormonal imbalance and lead to an increase in the production of insulin in a woman’s body. This may cause an ovulatory dysfunction i.e. the ovaries may stop producing eggs. The medical name of this condition is called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Both these conditions can be treated with appropriate medication and a change in lifestyle.