The Laurence A. Jacobs M.D. Blog

Every day I see patients who are experiencing infertility that is caused or exacerbated by excess body fat. And I am often asked why being overweight matters and why a patient should try to lose weight before trying to get pregnant or undergo a fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Here’s why: There are several adverse effects associated with excess body fat that inhibit conception and a healthy pregnancy.

• Overweight women often have hormonal imbalances and abnormal endocrine function, which results in a disruption of regular ovulation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one specific type of endocrine condition that is generally associated with obesity.
• Insulin resistance (a condition that can develop into type 2 diabetes) is a common problem for overweight or PCOS patients and further interferes with ovulation.

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Recently, I did a series of videos for FertilityAuthority. Here is the one on "Does Losing Weight Increase Fertility?" in which I describe what I tell patients about losing weight before they get pregnant. You can check the video out on YouTube or on FertilityAuthority or below.         Read more

Recently, I filmed two videos on unexplained fertility for FertilityAuthority: What Is Unexplained Infertility and How Is Unexplained Infertility Treated? Because unexplained infertility is a very frustrating diagnosis for couples — the fertility doctor is basically saying that he or she can find no defined reason why you’re not achieving a pregnancy — it merits further discussion here.

 

 

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One of the most frequently asked questions among couples who are trying to conceive is: How do I know when it’s time to see a fertility doctor? (And what is a fertility doctor anyway?)

To answer the second question first, fertility doctors are reproductive endocrinologists. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) is a surgical subspeciality of obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) that addresses hormonal functioning as it pertains to reproduction and infertility in both women and men. Reproductive endocrinologists have Ob/Gyn specialty training before they undergo subspeciality training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. In the United States, a reproductive endocrinologist has four years of Ob/Gyn training and a three-year fellowship.

So, when should you see a reproductive endocrinologist? Here are 12 indications:

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