Frequency of Subfertility in Women with High Body Mass Index (BMI)

Authors

  • Sofia Daudpota Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
  • Nighat Shah Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
  • Syeda Aliza Aftab Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
  • Rahid Ali Daudpota Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
  • Sobia Irum Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.1621

Keywords:

Body Mass Index, Obesity, Subfertility

Abstract

Objectives: It is essential to carry out a study to ascertain the prevalence of subfertility in women with high BMI because of these inconsistent results and the dearth of data in the local population. The findings of this study will assist us in providing evidence-based education to women with high BMI and subfertility about the advantages of weight loss for increased fertility. Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Duration of study: November 2022 to April 2023. Methodology: A total of 138 women of reproductive age, aged 15 to 45, with a high BMI (≥ 25 kg/m2) were chosen. Individuals with low or normal body mass index, a history of pregnancy, thyroid and androgen hormone endocrine abnormalities, and the use of any form of contraception were not included. The researcher recorded baseline information such as age, height, weight, BMI, and menstrual cycle regularity. A consultant gynecologist evaluated each patient in the trial for subfertility, which was defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sexual activity. Results: The study's participants ranged in age from 15 to 45, with a mean age of 26.54 ± 5.93 years.  A mean height of 159.12 ± 12.65 cm was recorded. 79.87 ± 8.71 kg was the average weight. Mean BMI was 33.24 ± 6.52 kg/m2. 55 individuals (39.86%) with high BMI had subfertility. Conclusion: Obesity and overweight are prevalent disorders that have an impact on reproductive health in addition to overall health.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Riess, K., Zippl, A. L., Reh, L., Feil, K., & Toth, B. (2023). Prevalence of low and high BMI in patients with infertility. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, 50(6).

https://doi.org/10.31083/j.ceog5006126

2. Zheng, Y., Dong, X., Chen, B., Dai, J., Yang, W., Ai, J., & Jin, L. (2022). Body mass index is associated with miscarriage rate and perinatal outcomes in cycles with frozen-thawed single blastocyst transfer: A retrospective cohort study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1).

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04443-2

3. Dhandapani, K., Kodavanji, B., N.A, V., N.J, P., & Deshpande, S. B. (2021). Prevalence and causes of infertility in overweight and obese women in a tertiary care hospital setup in Mangalore - A retrospective secondary data analysis. Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare, 8(29), 2656-2660.

https://doi.org/10.18410/jebmh/2021/489

4. Kundu, S., Ali, B., & Dhillon, P. (2023). Surging trends of infertility and its behavioural determinants in India. PLOS ONE, 18(7), e0289096.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289096

5. Borumandnia, N., Alavi Majd, H., Khadembashi, N., & Alaii, H. (2022). Worldwide trend analysis of primary and secondary infertility rates over past decades: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM), 20(1), 37-46.

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v20i1.10407

6. Amoah, C., Adageba, R. K., Appiah, E. K., & Sefogah, P. E. (2025). Obesity and overweight and associated factors among women with infertility undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment in a low income setting. Scientific Reports, 15(1).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-82818-5

7. Ibitoye, B. O., Akadiri, O., Ibitoye, F. O., & Fasasi, O. A. (2023). Who fact sheet on infertility (definition of infertility), published in global reproductive health (2021). Global Reproductive Health, 8(2), e60-e60.

https://doi.org/10.1097/grh.0000000000000060

8. Dhandapani, K., Kodavanji, B., & Vinodini, N. (2016). Association of body mass index with primary and secondary infertility among infertile women in Mangalore: A cross-sectional study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6(1), 81.

https://doi.org/10.5455/njppp.2015.5.2108201585

9. Cong, J., Li, P., Zheng, L., & Tan, J. (2016). Prevalence and risk factors of infertility at a rural site of northern China. PLOS ONE, 11(5), e0155563.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155563

10. Tang, K., Guo, Y., Wu, L., Luo, Y., Gong, B., & Feng, L. (2021). A non-linear dose-response relation of female body mass index and in vitro fertilization outcomes. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 38(4), 931-939.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-021-02082-8

11. Hecht, L. M., Hadwiger, A., Patel, S., Hecht, B. R., Loree, A., Ahmedani, B. K., & Miller-Matero, L. R. (2021). Disordered eating and eating disorders among women seeking fertility treatment: A systematic review. Archives of Women's Mental Health, 25(1), 21-32.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-021-01156-x

12. Zhu, L., Zhou, B., Zhu, X., Cheng, F., Pan, Y., Zhou, Y., Wu, Y., & Xu, Q. (2022). Association between body mass index and female infertility in the United States: Data from national health and nutrition examination survey 2013–2018. International Journal of General Medicine, 15, 1821-1831.

https://doi.org/10.2147/ijgm.s349874

13. Grodstein, F., Goldman, M. B., & Cramer, D. W. (1994). Body mass index and Ovulatory infertility. Epidemiology, 5(2), 247-250.

https://doi.org/10.1097/00001648-199403000-00016

14. Fichman, V., Costa, R. D., Miglioli, T. C., & Marinheiro, L. P. (2020). Association of obesity and anovulatory infertility. Einstein (São Paulo), 18.

https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2020ao5150

15. Zohora, F. T., Islam, N., Karmakar, P., Sultana, D., & Hasib, H. M. (2023). Increased body mass index & Waist circumference are associated with female infertility: A cross-sectional study. Eastern Medical College Journal, 8(2), 39-42.

https://doi.org/10.3329/emcj.v8i2.69686

16. Rafael, F., Rodrigues, M. D., Bellver, J., Canelas-Pais, M., Garrido, N., Garcia-Velasco, J. A., Soares, S. R., & Santos-Ribeiro, S. (2023). The combined effect of BMI and age on ART outcomes. Human Reproduction, 38(5), 886-894.

https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dead042

17. Risch, L., Hotzy, F., Vetter, S., Hiller, S., Wallimann, K., Seifritz, E., & Mötteli, S. (2022). Assessment of nutritional status and risk of malnutrition using adapted standard tools in patients with mental illness and in need of intensive psychiatric treatment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 109.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010109

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Nighat Shah, Syeda Aliza Aftab, Rahid Ali Daudpota, & Sobia Irum. (2025). Frequency of Subfertility in Women with High Body Mass Index (BMI). Indus Journal of Bioscience Research, 3(6), 581-584. https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i6.1621