A recently-published study suggests an etiological association between obesity and an array of female reproductive disorders, although the extent of such association differs among circumstances.
According to a EurekAlert! report, obesity is linked to an "increased risk of developing reproductive conditions," although the condition's roles, as well as its mechanisms in the cause or causes of reproductive disorders, remain unclear.
Essentially, female reproductive disorders are typical conditions that impact the health and well-being of many. Nonetheless, the role of obesity in female reproductive conditions' development is said to be "understudied."
Link Between Obesity and Female Reproductive Disorders
To examine the causal link between obesity, female reproductive conditions, and metabolic hormones, researchers carried out a Mendelian randomization study of over 250,193 women of European ancestry whose ages range from 40 to 69 years old.
They could access records from UK Biobank, an extensive biomedical database that contains the participants' medical, genetic and environmental information.
In their study published in PLOS Medicine, the researchers developed a statistical model to assess the link between body mass index of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio with risk of several female reproductive conditions, including endometriosis, pre-eclampsia, infertility, etc. heavy menstrual bleeding.
As a result, the study investigators discovered an observational link between obesity and an array of female reproductive conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, pre-eclampsia, and heavy menstrual bleeding.
They discovered, too, that some inherited genetic variation linked to obesity is associated with female reproductive disorders as well, although the strength of such links differed by reproductive condition and type of obesity.
Research Limitations
This new research had many limitations like the low pervasiveness of female reproductive conditions among participants and the lack of BMI and waist-to-hip data before the disease onset.
The authors said they are providing genetic evidence that both generalized and central obesity are playing an etiological role in an extensive range of female reproductive conditions, although the extent of such associations differs significantly between conditions.
Lastly, the researchers explained their study findings proposed a need to explore the mechanisms that mediate the causal links of obesity and overweight on gynecological health to determine targets for treatment and prevention of the disease.
Obesity and Gynecological Conditions
A study on the link between obesity and reproductive disorders was also carried out and published in the Human Report Update journal in 2003.
This report specified that a type of obesity, specifically the abdominal phenotype, is linked to several reproductive discomforts.
While mechanisms by which obesity impacts fertility are multifaceted and remain not fully understood, a vital role seems to be played by the existence of a condition of "functional hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia," as indicated in the said report, accompanying the insulin-resistant state.
Specifically, in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, abdominal obesity may be co-accountable for developing hyperandrogenism and linked chronic anovulation through mechanisms that mainly involve the insulin-mediated overstimulation of ovarian steroidogenesis lessened sex hormone-binding globulin blood concentrations.
Weight Loss Benefits
Because of the beneficial impacts of weight loss, lifestyle intervention programs need to represent the first-line method in treating infertile obese women.
Insulin-sensitizing agents may contribute to benefits, specifically if administered in combination with hypocaloric dieting.
Hence, individualized pharmacological support targeted at weight loss and enhancing insulin resistance must be widely extended in clinical practice among obese infertile patients.
This may be advantageous even during pregnancy, thus allowing favorable physiological delivery and healthy babies.
Related information about Female Reproductive Disorders is shown on Armando Hasudungan's YouTube video below:
Check out more news and information on Obesity in Science Times.
