Obesity and infertility: a double whammy
Sairabanu Mohamed Rashid Sokwalla1,2, Swafiya Busaidy1, Gautam Das3
1Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Obesity
|November 28, 2025
Summary
Obesity significantly impacts male and female fertility by disrupting hormonal balance and reproductive functions. Further research is needed on effective obesity treatments for improving fertility outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Human Reproduction
Background:
- Obesity is a growing global health concern.
- Beyond its effects on cardio-metabolic health, obesity is increasingly recognized as a significant factor affecting fertility in both men and women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive review of current scientific evidence.
- To elucidate the relationship between male and female obesity and infertility.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies.
- Synthesis of evidence on obesity's impact on reproductive health.
Main Results:
- Obesity negatively affects male fertility by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, testicular function, spermatogenesis, and sperm maturation.
- In females, obesity causes hormonal imbalances impacting ovarian and uterine function, leading to anovulation, irregular menses, and issues with embryo development, implantation, and increased miscarriage risk, particularly in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Conclusions:
- Strong evidence links male and female obesity to infertility and its underlying pathophysiology.
- The efficacy of obesity treatments on fertility outcomes requires further investigation.
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