Yes, you can get pregnant with a 17.5 BMI, but it significantly reduces fertility and increases risks because being underweight (BMI < 18.5) disrupts hormones, often stopping ovulation, while a BMI under 17.5 can signal an eating disorder, making conception difficult and potentially harming pregnancy; seeking medical guidance to improve nutrition and reach a healthier weight is crucial.
A BMI of 18.5 or lower may cause you to have a more difficult time getting pregnant and increases the risk of preterm birth. Many women with a BMI below 18.5 have irregular or absent periods, and may not be ovulating regularly. Gaining just a few pounds may make a difference in your likelihood of conceiving.
A BMI of 17.5 signifies an underweight condition that necessitates attention and intervention. It's crucial to understand the potential health implications and seek professional guidance to address underlying causes and achieve healthy weight gain.
If you are underweight (your BMI is 18.5 or less), you may have problems getting pregnant. Being underweight can cause your body to stop making estrogen. This can cause irregular menstrual cycles. You may stop ovulating and getting your period.
A BMI of 18.5 or less (underweight) may cause irregular menstrual cycles and may cause ovulation (release of an egg from the ovaries) to stop. A BMI of 17.5 or less may indicate an eating disorder. Women at less than normal BMI should talk with their doctor about exercise, nutritional or hormonal issues.
But it is still the best way of assessing your weight. You will be categorised as being underweight if your BMI was under 18.5 either before or at the start of your pregnancy.
At a BMI of less than 18, you may experience the absence of periods. The exact weight and body fat levels that result in amenorrhea differs from person to person.
Women with a body mass index (BMI) above 27 are three times more likely than women in the normal weight range to be unable to conceive because they don't ovulate. Women who are overweight or obese are much less likely to conceive.
The BMI is a convenient rule of thumb used to broadly categorize a person as based on tissue mass (muscle, fat, and bone) and height. Major adult BMI classifications are underweight (under 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9), and obese (30 or more).
Low weight gain was defined as <–0.1 kg/wk for the first trimester and <0.3 kg/wk for the second and third trimester. IUGR was defined as a birth weight <2500 g in full-term infants.
Studies have generally found that preferred BMIs are less than 20 (Courtiol, Picq, Godelle, Raymond, & Ferdy, 2010; Crossley, Cornelissen, & Tovee, 2012; Tovee & Cornellisen, 2001; Wang et al., 2015), and the BMI with the highest attractiveness rating has been found to be just 17 in several studies (Fan, Liu, & Dai, ...
Medical professionals have determined that a healthy range of body fat is 14%- 20% for men, and 17%-24% for women. (Although ideal body composition varies with age as Table 1 shows.) But until recently, accurate methods for measuring and monitoring body fat have not been available to the average person.
If your BMI is below 18.5, you should see a healthcare provider for testing. Having underweight can cause serious health risks or be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
Generally speaking a “normal” female BMI is 18 - 25 but because being too light can impact a person's ability to conceive, the ideal range for hopeful parents is 20 - 25.
BMI <17.0: moderate and severe thinness. BMI <18.5: underweight. BMI 18.5–24.9: normal weight. BMI ≥25.0: overweight.
If your BMI is less than 18.5 at booking, most mothers will have a healthy pregnancy and baby. You are at slightly increased risk however, of having a miscarriage, premature birth or a baby of low birthweight and extra ultrasound scans are sometimes offered in these circumstances.
In contrast, females survive to a lower BMI of around 11, although with greater index variability (CV 14%). Several females had BMI's as low as 9 and 10. Based on these figures a mean BMI of 12 as the lower limit for human survival emerges - a value first proposed by James et al (1988).
Ozempic is typically recommended for individuals who have a BMI of 30 or higher, which falls into the obese category, or for those with a BMI of 27 or higher who have additional health concerns such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
What your BMI result means. You're in the underweight range, with a BMI score under 18.5. If you're underweight, you might not be getting the energy or nutrients that your body needs.
Can a low BMI affect my fertility? Having a low BMI can also cause your periods to become irregular or stop. This can make it harder to get pregnant. If you are not having periods, putting on weight to get to a healthy BMI may help regulate your menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of being underweight can vary depending on the underlying cause. “Common signs may include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, irregular menstrual cycles and a weakened immune system leading to frequent infections,” said Eberly.
Sudden weight loss can also cause your periods to stop. If your BMI falls below 18.5 for whatever reason, especially if this drop is sudden, your periods may stop completely. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, it is important to seek help.
Here are 9 signs your hormones may be out of whack:
Higher BMI was linked with longer cycle length and higher cycle variability. Compared to participants with BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (healthy BMI range), those whose BMI was between 25-29.9 kg/m2 or above 30 kg/m2 had longer menstrual cycles and higher variability around the average menstrual cycle length.