Obesity matters when trying to start a family

Obesity and male infertility are now known to be related and can contribute to a couple’s difficulty when trying to start a family. It has been documented that in obese men, over 32% had a low sperm count and nearly 7% had no viable sperm at all. This compares to 24% and 2.6% for men of normal weight. This 33% jump in low sperm count and over 2.5 times increase in no viable sperm is quite alarming when couples are trying to start a family.

When trying to explain this data, researchers have suggested that it could be from the fact that fat tissue can convert the male hormone testosterone into the female hormone estrogen. Therefore the heavier a man is, the more estrogen his body produces. They also summarized that in obese men, a hormone produced by fat cells called leptin, might damage sperm cells. While it is not known what exactly causes the increased chance of infertility from lower sperm counts in obese men, it is definitely known to exist.

While we know there are many benefits to losing weight, the added benefit of it improving chances of conception make weight loss and fighting obesity even more compelling. If you have been battling  obesity and have tried the many diets without success, do not be afraid to reach out to us. We are hear to answer your questions about all the surgical options and help you in your quest to lose weight. We are not here to pressure you into a decision but to help inform you of your options so that your decision can be an educated one that you are 100% comfortable making.