infertility

husker_gal
husker_gal Posts: 462 Member
edited September 26 in Chit-Chat
so just wondering if there is anybody on here who is losing weight not only to improve their life but also to try to over come infertility problems. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for three years. Been to doctors and a reporductive endocrinologist...test after test after test later and we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We are in the 3rd percentile for people our age with infertility. The only suggestion for getting around it was infertility treament (clomid, IUI, InVitro). Although the doc did mention weight loss might help. So I am here even more determined to lose weight in hopes of finally being able to have a baby! Just wondering if anybody else out there is doing this as one of their reasons too.

Replies

  • BunnybeeJG
    BunnybeeJG Posts: 344 Member
    i'm not sure yet ... but its def. a motivation to lose weight for me to be double assured that it'd be possible. if i can't have kids with my bf i'll lose it. prolly end up in a padded cell cuz it would destroy me! I do wish you ALL the luck i can i'm sure that it'll help... i know that being too thin or too overweight DEF. has adverse side effects to having kids.
  • msartishia
    msartishia Posts: 123 Member
    I am in the same boat. My doctor wants me to get below 200 punds to have a full term and safe pregnancy. I tried one cycle of IUI and it did not work. I will start back up later on this year. I have heard stories that weight effects some couples, and then I look at people that are larger than me. I know that it will happen in time and I just have to be patient. I have not been pregnant in almost 6 or 7 years (one miscarriage). I wish you and your husband luck.
  • husker_gal
    husker_gal Posts: 462 Member
    I am in the same boat. My doctor wants me to get below 200 punds to have a full term and safe pregnancy. I tried one cycle of IUI and it did not work. I will start back up later on this year. I have heard stories that weight effects some couples, and then I look at people that are larger than me. I know that it will happen in time and I just have to be patient. I have not been pregnant in almost 6 or 7 years (one miscarriage). I wish you and your husband luck.

    Thanks! Wishing you lots of luck too!
  • LindaWarner17
    LindaWarner17 Posts: 33 Member
    I am not currently trying for any babies, however I have noticed my cycle has gotten WAY more regular since I have lost weight. I am down 25 lbs from 215 at 5'4.5" to 190 and my cycle length has gone from 45+ days to 30 days already :) One of the reasons, among many, I wanted to get healthy was so my husband and I can conceive more easily when I am done with grad school. Good luck on your journey!! You will find everyone in this community to be so supportive as you work towards your goals :smile:
  • barnold5
    barnold5 Posts: 1
    I am trying for the same reasons! My boyfriend and I have been trying for over 6 years now and nothing. I need to lose a bunch of weight and I am using this as my biggest motivator! Good luck to you :)
  • KeepOnMoving
    KeepOnMoving Posts: 383 Member
    My heart goes out to you! Been there done that. But not going back. Had to go to a second doctor to find out the truth about something - not doing it again. Very sad but God has his plan and purpose. Takes a while figure it out why things are why they are.

    Yep, I heard weight loss can help. Exercise can help you sleep better, good nutrition can help your immune system. So many factors. But adopting a healthy lifestyle that will bring weight down is a very healthy thing. Now you don't want to be too skinny either. Too little body fat can affect fertility. This happens to athletes and anorexic folks.

    Main thing is to stop worrying. Enjoy life! Sometimes these things just happen when you least expect it to - even without some so- called fertility expert. (yes its true because I know a few other couples giving up and it happened on their own)

    Good luck! :flowerforyou: :wink:
  • CBaumgardner7
    CBaumgardner7 Posts: 212 Member
    I was in that boat. I went through 6 different dr's and that they couldn't explain why we couldn't get pregant. Did Clomid, artificial inseminations, and IUI. You name it, we did it. After 6 long years of prayer, I had my 1st baby...a girl. The dr's said that I wouldn't have anymore but I was determined to have a few more. When Meagan was 7 months old, we got pregnant again. Again, dr's said that I couldn't have and then our 3rd daughter was born. The girls were 3 yrs apart. After my 3rd I weighed close to 300lbs and swore to lose weight. I lost 150lbs and then we had our son. We were done and I started back losing my weight and my 5th was born this year on 2/3. I have 5 kids...7, 5,4,17months and 2 months. It's a hard road being diagnosed with infertility but I've read how you can reverse it with weight loss. In my case it did happen and I wish you the best of luck. Be patient(I know it's easier said than done) and allow yourself not to focus on getting pregnant but to enjoy what you have and take 1 day at a time.
  • RachelJE
    RachelJE Posts: 172
    I have 2 sweet, crazy and wonderful "clomid" babies. It's important to find the right doctor, get the right information, get the right testing done. Some doctors will look at you and assume weight is the problem when often there is a simple fix. I'm not suggesting getting healthy isn't a VERY important part of the process, but may not be on the only cause. Hang in there, message me if you have any specific questions about my journey or using clomid. Blessings to you. It's an emotional roller coaster, and eating often soothes those wounds. But believe me, its worth the struggle in the end. <3
  • Kimmerz1
    Kimmerz1 Posts: 64 Member
    so just wondering if there is anybody on here who is losing weight not only to improve their life but also to try to over come infertility problems. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for three years. Been to doctors and a reporductive endocrinologist...test after test after test later and we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We are in the 3rd percentile for people our age with infertility. The only suggestion for getting around it was infertility treament (clomid, IUI, InVitro). Although the doc did mention weight loss might help. So I am here even more determined to lose weight in hopes of finally being able to have a baby! Just wondering if anybody else out there is doing this as one of their reasons too.

    I haven't. Do you have any stress. Losing weight can help. Also I heard not thinking about it helps.
  • RobertaG
    RobertaG Posts: 205 Member
    i'm not trying to have a baby nor am I trying to lose weight. I'm actually recovering from an eating disorder which disrupted my menstrual cycle. I have to reach a healthy weight so that I can get my period again. I haven't had it since August and I'm so scared of not being able to have children in the future. I understand your concerns and I'm sure that it must be harder for you since you're married and want to conceive. But I got my mom constantly on my back reminding me that if I don't gain weight, I'll never have children.
  • Sigra
    Sigra Posts: 374 Member
    I hope to one day in the future have one! But at this moment I'm not trying for one.

    I wish you guys the best of luck on your baby!!
  • jllipson
    jllipson Posts: 646
    I did not lose weight to get pregnant, but was diagnosed with PCOS. I found out that being overweight may have been a contributing factor, but none of the doctors actually recommended I lose weight. I had also been on the pill for about 8 years, and they said I wasn't ovulating on my own. First 2 pregnancies were with Clomid - both unfortunately ended in miscarriages, after the second miscarriage was when I read about weight possibly being a contributing factor to my difficulties. I lost some weight after 2nd loss, due to depression. Then I got pregnant again, lost that one to miscarriage too, due to a blood clot. Decided to wait a while, then low and behold got pregnant on our own. Fertility doctor told me I would go into labor about 27 weeks and likely would be on bedrest and such, and possibly even lose the baby. (Such great encouragement - NOT - I never truly connected with my baby until she cried when the doctors laid her on my belly) He was a little correct - went into preterm labor at 34 weeks, on bedrest, and had her 4 days before due date - after they induced me due to heart rate dropping during contractions.

    Wanted another, but didn't want to go through specialist again (especially not after his parting predictions about baby) - after 2 years, we gave up and said our beautiful daughter would be our only child - about 5 months after we "gave up" and just started living life, my daughter told me she was going to have a baby brother. She kept telling me that all day and night - I thought about what she said all night, so the next day I got up and tested - my 2 year old knew what she was talking about, well for the most part - I was pregnant, but it was another girl, not a boy - born 10 days early, no issues or complication, just a healthy little girl. Oh, and I cherished every day of that pregnancy!

    Try to lose weight first - all the fertility stuff can drain your finances and are not a guarantee - after you lose the weight, and if you haven't conceived, then have them do tests again. You will hopefully also have a nicer specialist, if you need one - but why not give it time and start relaxing and enjoying life and your time - hopefully it will just happen when you least expect it to.

    Good Luck - and I hope you are blessed with your child soon!
  • BunnybeeJG
    BunnybeeJG Posts: 344 Member
    I am not currently trying for any babies, however I have noticed my cycle has gotten WAY more regular since I have lost weight. I am down 25 lbs from 215 at 5'4.5" to 190 and my cycle length has gone from 45+ days to 30 days already :) One of the reasons, among many, I wanted to get healthy was so my husband and I can conceive more easily when I am done with grad school. Good luck on your journey!! You will find everyone in this community to be so supportive as you work towards your goals :smile:

    me too man.. its crazy i remember going a year or so without it and freaking out completely now i get it every month!
  • jovie929
    jovie929 Posts: 20
    I actually lost my period about four years ago, when I was maintaining at my heaviest weight, around 213lbs. Ironically, and thankfully, I recently got it back and it happened as soon as-- and I do mean AS SOON AS-- I got within my "healthy" range for my height (I'm 5'3", so basic range is 110-140lbs). Literally, when I dropped to 139lbs, my cycle came back within a month. So, I definitely think weight is a huge factor in a lot of cases of infertility. I'm not trying to conceive, and do not wish to for another few years, but I would constantly worry that my lack of period would prevent me from having children in the future. Just yet another wonderful thing that losing weight has given me back in my life. :)
  • HunnyLuvsJorge
    HunnyLuvsJorge Posts: 91 Member
    so just wondering if there is anybody on here who is losing weight not only to improve their life but also to try to over come infertility problems. My husband and I have been trying for a baby for three years. Been to doctors and a reporductive endocrinologist...test after test after test later and we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We are in the 3rd percentile for people our age with infertility. The only suggestion for getting around it was infertility treament (clomid, IUI, InVitro). Although the doc did mention weight loss might help. So I am here even more determined to lose weight in hopes of finally being able to have a baby! Just wondering if anybody else out there is doing this as one of their reasons too.

    You're telling my story! Except I dunno about what percentile I'm in. I'm half way to the goal that my doc recommended, but I'm trying for a little more. Wouldn't mind building my core so that when I do get preggers, I'll be able to push that baby out! :)
  • rosec005
    rosec005 Posts: 67 Member
    I'm not looking to have kids yet, but I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries earlier this year (which actually caused me to gain weight) and now I'm trying to get the weight off so it's easier for me to have kids if I ever want to. It was really hard for me when I first heard I wouldn't be able to have kids (from my first endo, who was completely wrong - I can have kids if I keep my weight and sugars in check). Good luck to you and your SO! You'll make great parents if you're doing so much for your future children already!
  • fab125
    fab125 Posts: 10 Member
    I was just told a week ago that my weight might have something to do with our fertility problems. How devastating! Especially since I have only gained 3 lbs. since my last pregnancy, which ended in a loss. Apparently I am not ovulating correctly, and it has to do with my weight. I am at 150 & need to get to 125. -and PCOS has been ruled out.....so I guess those extra 25lbs are a real problem.
  • fab125
    fab125 Posts: 10 Member
    Hi. I just had a couple questions about Clomid. Does it have any side effects? I am at home recovering from a Laparoscopy I had yesterday. I have had a lot of pain during my cycle for years, and my doctor finally suggested surgery. He found scar tissue on one ovary & a cyst on the other. He's also doing a biopsy to diagnose endometriosis. I'm not ovulating regularly, and that may be from my ovarian issues or the fact I need to lose weight. (I'm at 147 & need to get to 125). Just wondering what worked for you? Was it just the Clomid? Or did you have to lose weight also? Thanks for your input!
  • I would just like to wish every single woman here the best of luck! My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 4 years now, I have almost every side effect of PCOS and my Dr assumed I had it but after hundreds of tests figured out I actually do not. I was told I have Hypothyroidism and Metabolic Syndrome and after I had taken medicine for months the doctors told me I actually didn't have either disease. Right now my Dr is trying me on a high dose of Metformin and I assume Clomid will be next. I've needed to loose weight since High School but this is my main motivator. I won't be able to live if I can't give my husband the gift of being a father. This is something that affects me everyday and I'm hoping I can lose the weight and it will actually help!
  • courtneyheidemann
    courtneyheidemann Posts: 6 Member
    I just read your posted and wanted to say how inspirational it was to me. I have been trying for 7 months now to get pregnant wtih clomid and it never seems like my levels are high enough and i'm getting very depressed. I didn't have a regular period untill this last month it came on its own!!! i had lost 13 pounds and i feel that if i keep losing the weight i will regulate and hopefully have a baby. I think your advice is great about not worrying about the drs and just try to get healthy first. My husband and I have talked and said after this round of clomid i'm weight till next year to see the doctor again and i'm gonig to focus on losing 100 pounds. Thank you for keeping the spirits up for all of us PCOS'ers.
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    Hello! Sorry to here you're down the yucky road of infertility.

    We tried for about 8 years. We've done IVF twice and FET twice. We've done clomid and lots of other fun stuff. We had to skip IUI altogether.

    We got pregnant on the 1st IVF but sadly we lost the baby. We tried again and again and nothing.

    I have PCOS and my hubby had severe male infertility. I haven't seen much of a change in my periods since losing weight but I still would like to be my healthiest just in case.

    In 2009, I got pregnant al naturale on Christmas day. It is the miracle of my life! I had been on bcp for about 7 months and got off of them because I my periods were being wacky again. 3 months later, I got pregnant naturally. We did have a miscarriage again though but I am still amazed I got pregnant naturally.

    I'm back on the pill though. Pregnancy has been nothing but mega stress that I fear it. I don't know if it will ever happen but I refuse to let it run my life. I lost all of 20's being depressed and angry about it.

    Oh and my hubby's numbers went up after being severely low (why we had to skip IUI). They're now in the low normal range. Pretty cool!
  • tnealxx1
    tnealxx1 Posts: 10
    hello ! sorry to hear about your struggle.
    my husband and i have been going through the whole thing for over 5 yrs!
    7 failedd IUIS, 3 rounds of clomid, 1 failed IVF, just got dx with type II dm. hoping to find myself stronger through losing weight, get pregnant and beat the odds! ever need any advice, chances are good i have been there!
    im new too
  • tnealxx1
    tnealxx1 Posts: 10
    my husband and i have been trying for several years as well. failed iui's and failed ivf. trying to get healthier, and lose some to help. just found out type II dm as well.
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