I read conflicting claims about pregnancy in obese women. On the one hand, obese women are said to have a menstrual disorder (which reduces their chances of pregnancy) due to their obesity, and on the other hand, obese women are more likely to become pregnant if they forget to take the contraceptive pill than a woman with a healthy weight. Does this contradict each other?
Answer
Obese women generally have a reduced chance of pregnancy. This is indeed due to hormonal disorders that can prevent ovulation from occurring.
Due to their overweight, they also have a more actively functioning liver. The hormones (pill) they take against pregnancy will therefore be broken down faster than in women with a lower weight. If they then forget a pill, they are faster in a “pill-free” body, which can cause ovulation.
Kind regards,
Answered by
Dr Jasper Verguts
Gynecology Obstetrics
Old Market 13 3000 Leuven
https://www.kuleuven.be/
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