PRESS RELEASE
Sub-fertility among ultra-thin women
According to recent studies, ultra-thin women face minor or major sub-fertility problems. This differs from the view widely accepted to date, i.e. that overweight women were those less likely to achieve pregnancy, either naturally or by in vitro fertilisation.
The index indicating whether a woman is ultra-thin, of normal weight or obese is called Body/Mass Index (BMI) and it is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilos by the square of their height in metres (weight/height2). Women with a BMI of 14-18 are considered ultra-thin, with a BMI of 19-28 normal and with a BMI of 29-43 obese. Initially it was assumed that women with a low body weight were less likely to conceive due to low oestrogen production. This might have a negative impact on ovulation or even interrupt it, while also affecting endometrial thickness, and, consequently, the capacity for embryo implantation. However, it has been observed that body weight plays a role even in cases of women on hormonal treatment in preparation for in vitro fertilisation, which leads to the conclusion that the weight – sub-fertility correlation is not a matter of hormones.
According to Professor Nikos Prapas (Obstetrician – Gynaecologist), “the most recent current view is that pregnancy may not be achieved due to embryo undernourishment, leading to implantation failure”. This is what Mr. Prapas concludes: “When a woman wishes to get pregnant, either naturally or following some form of sub-fertility treatment, she needs to look after her weight and maintain it within normal range, rather than trying to comply with social norms”.
