Most overweight women have no problem getting pregnant—have sex, make baby, done! A recent survey in the Glow Community found that the vast majority of overweight women didn't struggle with getting pregnant at all.

That said, weight can affect your fertility when you’re trying to conceive. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine says that more than 70% of women who have weight-related infertility could get pregnant if their weight was at a healthier level.

So, how big a factor is your weight when you're trying to conceive?

How much weight is too much?

When we say weight, we're not actually that concerned about a specific number of pounds. What's more important to consider is your BMI, or body mass index. A normal BMI is between 18.5 to 24.9; 25-30 is considered overweight, and anything over 30 is considered obese. If you don't know your BMI, you can calculate it here.

One 2008 study found that the chance of pregnancy fell 4% for every BMI point over 29, and that the higher the BMI, the lower the chances of pregnancy. Overall, overweight women with regular cycles had a harder time getting pregnant than women of regular weight, even if they have no other health issues.

Weight and PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and estrogen dominance are disorders that are common in women who carry more weight, and they make it more difficult to get pregnant. Having more fat on your body can interfere with your hormone levels, making the body more resistant to insulin. The abnormal hormone levels that result can stop ovulation—and if you’re not ovulating, you can’t get pregnant, since your body isn’t releasing any eggs.

Other weight-related health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can affect fertility, as well.

When NOT to worry

If you’re having a normal, monthly menstrual cycle, chances are everything is good in your baby-makin’ organs, no matter what the scale says! Very long (more than 35 days) or very short (less than 21 days) menstrual cycles might be a cause for concern, though. Same goes for unexplained bleeding, heavy bleeding, or sudden changes in your cycle.

What now?

If you are overweight and want to get pregnant, you should track your cycle, cervical mucus, and basal body temperature to learn what’s normal for your body.

Try to eat fresh, natural foods (try these fertility friendly foods for extra credit!) and move your body often. Work towards a healthy lifestyle in general, which will help make you healthier and happier when you do eventually start on the journey of pregnancy—in another Glow survey, 73% of women said they thought trying to lose weight before trying to conceive was a good idea.

If you don’t get a positive pregnancy test after a few months of trying, make an appointment with a specialist to see if you can speed up the process. You can also talk to women in a similar situation in Glow Community, and head over to Glow Pages to learn more about the types of fertility medications that could help.

Don't forget, the Glow Fertility Program is here to help you, too. Call 1-866-GLOW-NOW (1-866-456-9669) and get personal advice from one of our experienced fertility coaches today.

The female body