A female has to have at least 17 percent of her
Body fat plays a significant role in reproduction. Sex hormones are fat-soluble and are stored in the body's fat layers. Women that have a low BMI produce a reduced amount of estrogen which can lead to an abnormal menstrual cycle. Amenorrhea, or the lack of a menstrual cycle, is a result of a low BMI.
When the BMI is higher than 25, it is possible that a large amount of estrogens may be produced leading to alteration of the menstrual cycle, anovulation (absence of ovulation) and, therefore, absence of menstruation. Read the full article on: Absence of menstruation or amenorrhea: causes and treatment ( 60).
You need to have a certain amount of fat in your body if you are willing to conceive. The normal body fat percentage required for conception is about 22-25%. In most of the athletes, the body fat is as low as 8 or 10 which is not suitable for fertility.
This low BMI often translates into fertility problems. In fact studies have shown that approximately12% of infertility cases are due to being underweight or having a low BMI. Body fat plays a significant role in reproduction. Sex hormones are fat soluble and they are stored in the body's fat layers.
If your BMI is less than 19, it can be harder for you to get pregnant. If you have a BMI of 30 or more (classified as obese), it can take longer to get pregnant and there is also a higher risk of pregnancy complications in both mum and baby.
Risk factors for amenorrhea include excessive exercise, obesity, eating disorders, a family history of amenorrhea or early menopause, and genetic changes.
But others will have problems conceiving, most often due to ovulation problems (failure to release eggs from the ovaries). A BMI of 18.5 or less (underweight) often causes irregular menstrual cycles and may cause ovulation to stop altogether.
Being overweight or obese
The excess oestrogen can affect how often you have periods, and can also cause your periods to stop. Your GP may refer you to a dietitian if you have a BMI of 30 or more, and it's affecting your periods.
Women who are of normal weight may also experience hypothalamic amenorrhea, but the etiology is often unclear. The amenorrhea is thought to be stress induced, if exercise or dieting with weight loss is not identified. This is generally referred to as functional idiopathic hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA).
The amount will look different for everyone! Incorporating healthy fats at main meals: olives, avocados, extra virgin olive oil, nuts & seeds, nut butters, salmon or other oily fish a couple times a week to ensure there is adequate fat intake to make reproductive hormones in the body.
Being underweight or overweight, exercising excessively, or not consuming enough calories can also induce hormone imbalances that may cause an individual to experience anovulatory cycles. In addition, significant stress can affect hormone levels in the body and subsequently disrupt ovulation.
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) defines the ideal body mass index (BMI) as between 20 and 25. Thus, anyone below that range would be considered underweight and those with a BMI from 18.5 to 17.5 extremely underweight.
BMI <18.5: underweight. BMI 18.5-24.9: normal weight. BMI ≥25.0: overweight. BMI ≥30.0: obesity.
How common is amenorrhea? About 1 in 25 women who are not pregnant, breastfeeding, or going through menopause experience amenorrhea at some point in their lives.
Natural (or normal) reasons to miss your period include: Pregnancy (the most common cause of secondary amenorrhea). Breastfeeding (or lactation amenorrhea). Menopause.
ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY IN PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN
One of the top causes of secondary amenorrhea is functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) which results in severe hypoestrogenemia and cessation of the menstrual cycle.
The thyroid produces hormones that control metabolism and play a role in puberty and menstruation. A thyroid gland that is overactive (called hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism) can cause menstrual irregularities, including amenorrhea.
Blood Tests
Laboratory examination of a blood sample is useful in the diagnosis of amenorrhea, as it can help to understand any hormonal imbalances that may be associated with the condition. Blood tests can assist in monitoring: Thyroid function: based on level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
The ideal BMI for getting pregnant, either naturally or through IVF, is between 19 and 25; typically, IVF can be less successful in women with a BMI over 30.
“Obesity can require special care, but a majority of women with B.M.I. over 30 don't have a complicated pregnancy and do have healthy babies.” Even when the risk for complications increases, the frequency of such events remains low.
Having a BMI of 30 or higher during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications for you and your baby. Working with your health care provider can help you manage your risks and promote a healthy pregnancy.
Being underweight (BMI under 18.5) can reduce a woman's fertility by causing hormone imbalances that affect ovulation and the chance of getting pregnant. Compared to women in the healthy weight range, women who are underweight are more likely to take more than a year to get pregnant.
A menstrual cycle that's too long (35 days or more), too short (less than 21 days), irregular or absent can mean that you're not ovulating. There might be no other signs or symptoms.