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Can Obesity Cause Infertility?

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Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Question: I am really concerned that I may not be able to conceive.
I have had unprotected sex for 15 years but sex has not been regular like maybe only once a month. I have never been pregnant.
Me and my husband now want to try for a baby but I am 41. My GP has done some blood tests and speem count and all is normal.
I have a mental block that I dont ovulate. I have used clearblue fertility monitor for 2 months and have only ever had low and high days with no peak days.
My GP says forget all test strips and monitors and just have regular sex. I am overweight with a current BMI of 45. I am working on getting this down.
My cycles are 27 days to 31 days.
Do you think I can conceive naturally and how do I know I ovulate please?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Chances of natural conception are there.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting us with your health concern.
Being overweight and having an age of more than 40 do decrease the chances of ovulation and conception but in your case since all the tests are normal, the chances of natural conception are present.
Your ultrasound scan also suggests presence of multiple follicles in both the ovaries. Losing some weight will increase your chances of conception manifold. To be sure that you are ovulating, you can get an ovulation study done in your next cycle.
Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (10 minutes later)
What is an ovulation study please

How many times a week do you recommend intercourse and why does fertility monitor show no peak is it likely I dont ovulate or should I forget the monitor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Details below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
Ovulation study is serial ultrasound scans on every alternate day from Day 11 till day 18 to monitor the development of follicles in the ovaries.
During the fertile days, you need to have sex at least every alternate day for conception. It is better to forget the monitor and lose some weight and remain stress free to maximize the chances of conception.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (2 hours later)
Do you personally think I ovulate?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Yes I do. The presence of follicles in both ovaries on ultrasound scan is suggestive of normal ovaries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (7 hours later)
So you see no polycystic ovaries or nothing. I am worried cos day 21 progesterone keeps come back less than 1. I am having another day 21 today


You dont see I am menopausal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Ovaries are normal.

Detailed Answer:
There are no polycystic ovaries. Since your FSH levels are normal, you are not nearing menopause. Day 21 progesterone can be treated with proper supplements in case the levels are persistently low.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (9 minutes later)
Would day 21 low stop me conceiving
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Can hinder implantation.

Detailed Answer:
Low levels of progesterone on day 21 can cause a luteal phase defect and can interfere with implantation. Proper progesterone supplements after a repeat test will help.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (25 hours later)
My day 21 progesterone has come back at 38 does that look like I ovulated this month
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Suggests ovulation.

Detailed Answer:
A level of more than 30 nmol/L indicates that ovulation has happened in this cycle. It is a good news for you.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal

OBGYN

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 14047 Questions

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Can Obesity Cause Infertility?

Brief Answer: Chances of natural conception are there. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for trusting us with your health concern. Being overweight and having an age of more than 40 do decrease the chances of ovulation and conception but in your case since all the tests are normal, the chances of natural conception are present. Your ultrasound scan also suggests presence of multiple follicles in both the ovaries. Losing some weight will increase your chances of conception manifold. To be sure that you are ovulating, you can get an ovulation study done in your next cycle. Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Rakhi Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal