Bengaluru: Many couples looking to improve their health and fertility consider adding exercise to their daily routine these days but even too much of exercise can have an adverse effect on them, say experts.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that excessive exercise may be associated with infertility. Many studies conducted on infertility also stated that exercise-induced menstrual disorders contribute to about 6% of couples with infertility.
In one such case, a couple from the city, who have been married for four years, were finding it difficult to conceive. Rohini (name changed) is a 27-year-old professional athlete and her husband Anish (name changed), is 31 years old and a software professional. On thorough examination, it was found that she was having irregular menstrual cycles and she exercised for a minimum two hours every day. Her BMI was 21.2 kg/m2 with body fat measurements being 15%, while his semen parameters were normal.
Research shows that a BMI of 20-24.9 is to be maintained for optimal fertility and regular ovulation. A minimum of 17% body fat is required for menarche and 22% is required for maintenance of ovulation. When the levels fall below this, ovulatory disturbances and menstrual irregularities set in which cause difficulty in conception.
Dr. Apurva Satish Amarnath, Fertility Consultant at Nova IVI Fertility said, “There are many proven studies that a certain amount of fat is required in the body for the hypothalamus. When you over-exercise, the minimum amount of fat that is needed gets burnt up, thereby creating a significant change in the sequence of chain of events for the appropriate functioning of the ovarian hormones.”
Stating that exercise definitely improves the body’'s metabolism and blood circulation, she added, “Regular activity can also optimise one’s reproductive system by properly stimulating the endocrine glands that secrete hormones. However, intense exercise and weight lifting affects ovulation and throws off the hormone levels in the body.”
Based on the findings, it was established that Rohini had exercise-induced suppression of ovulation which in turn caused menstrual irregularities. She was advised to cut back on the exercise and once body fat measures improved, regular ovulation was established and the couple conceived naturally and are now expecting their first child.
