Obesity, hormones and love: How excess weight affects fertility and intimacy

Are you overweight or obese? Well, that excess weight can impact intimacy, too. Yes, that’s right! Obesity silently influences the hormones, fertility, and emotional closeness between partners. Everyone needs to battle the bulge and prevent intimacy problems with their partner. It is time to follow the advice given by the expert in the article below and get back in shape.Obesity cases are rapidly rising among the Indian population. Obesity has become a common health issue in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Long working hours, stress, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical activity can drive the obesity cases. Many are aware of the impact of obesity on the heart, liver, and kidneys, but don’t know its impact on fertility and intimate relationships. Excess body weight can disturb hormone balance, reduce sexual desire, and create emotional distance between partners. There is an association between weight gain and fertility. Excess body fat interferes with the normal functioning of hormones, which tend to control reproduction. In women, obesity can raise the chances of irregular menses, poor ovulation, and conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) that can be a matter of concern. These issues can cause challenges during pregnancy. Obesity also increases the risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. When it comes to men, piling up those excess kilos lowers testosterone levels and affects sperm count, movement, and quality. Fat tissue converts testosterone into estrogen, which can also hurt fertility. Obesity is also linked to erectile dysfunction (ED), making regular intercourse difficult for couples trying to conceive. Hence, those with excess weight need to be cautious and make sure to adhere to healthy lifestyle choices. Adipose cells or fat has an enzyme called aromatase which actively converts testosterone to estradiol, a process called aromatization. The higher the fat the more this conversion.Excess weight and intimacy: You will be shocked to know that weight gain not only impacts the body, but also emotions. Hormonal imbalance may be the cause behind reduced sexual desire in both men and women. Fatigue, breathlessness, and joint pain may reduce physical comfort during intimacy, and women may avoid spending quality time with their partners. Many tend to experience body image concerns, low confidence, and fear of judgment, which can create emotional distance between partners. Stress related to weight, fertility struggles, or health issues can impact communication and closeness. Over time, this may lead to frustration, anxiety, loneliness, or relationship strain. The partners may even avoid conversation or feel neglected. Hence, it is necessary to maintain an optimum weight, improve the quality of life, and maintain intimacy.Vital tips to grill that excess fat, improve fertility and intimacy: Couples should focus on their health by opting for a well-balanced diet. Make sure to have fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein. Give up on fried, oily, canned, and processed foods. Cut down on bakery items, sodas, colas, desserts, ice creams, and sweets. Stay away from bhajiya, namkeen, samosa, and vada. Don’t compromise on physical activity; exercise daily for 45 minutes. Regular physical activity will help to improve hormone balance, energy levels, and mood. Stress can also lead to weight gain. Try yoga and meditation to help improve emotional and sexual well-being. Get a sound sleep of 8 hours to maintain hormonal balance and improve sexual health.Seek help from an expert if there are hormonal problems and fertility concerns. Open communication and emotional support will strengthen intimacy with the partner and improve the relationship. So, lose weight, stay healthy!(Dr Prashanth Rao, Director of Surgical Gastroenterology and Minimal Access Surgery, Gleneagles Hospital Parel)