There are so many things to consider when trying to conceive a child. One thing you should discuss with your doctor or infertility specialist is how your weight, lifestyle and diet can affect your chances of conceiving. If your Body Mass Index (BMI) is too high or too low, it can have a great affect on your fertility.

What some people don’t consider is that BMI can have an affect on the fertility of the male or female trying to conceive. An ideal BMI for conception is somewhere between 17 and 25. The BMI needed may vary slightly from individual to individual, so this is something that should be monitored by your doctor during the infertility treatment process.

Having a BMI that is too low affects your production of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is produced in your brain releases the gonadotropins luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the gonads of both males and females. The stimulation causes secretion of testosterone in the testes and also in ovaries. The ovaries convert the testosterone into estrogen. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) supports the maturation of eggs, uterine lining and ovarian follicles, as well as sperm maturation and sperm count. So, as you can see, it can very important to monitor and possibly manipulate the BMI of both the male and female during infertility treatment.

Having a BMI that is too high can cause different problems. A higher BMI in women can cause insulin levels to increase. This can cause testosterone not to be converted into estrogen. The bottom line here is that the ovaries will not release eggs without sufficient estrogen production. A man’s sperm count can possibly be impacted by a higher BMI as well.

Diet and exercise are key to getting your BMI as a couple to where it should be. This is a great time for you to become a team and tackle your infertility together. Working together, eating healthy and exercising should also greatly reduce your stress levels. Stress is definitely something to consider when approaching any infertility treatment program. Work with your doctor to determine how much exercise may be necessary. Too little or too much exercise can affect your fertility, so don’t go overboard. Determining how much is too much is something that you should discuss and monitor with your fertility specialist.

Maintain a healthy diet. Balancing carbohydrate and protein intake is important. It’s especially important for the man’s sperm production to get an appropriate amount of antioxidants, vitamin C, A and E in his diet. Other unhealthy habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption can affect your infertility treatment.

Patience, diet and a healthy lifestyle can help you be on your way to parenthood. Discuss all options for infertility treatment with your doctor. Seek professional assistance before you assume that your BMI or your partner’s BMI is the cause of your unsuccessful conception efforts. Finding an experienced, caring and understanding infertility specialist can make a big difference in your efforts. Embark on this journey with a doctor that has the patience and understanding to help you and your partner stay positive during your infertility treatment.