Too much exercise can affect women's fertility

Reported November 09, 2009

New York, November 9-- A Norwegian study suggests spending too much time in the gym can reduce women’s fertility.

The findings of the study suggest that while limited physical activity certainly offers health benefits, however, too much of it could possibly deprive the body of sufficient energy needed for a successful pregnancy.

Study details
To determine the same, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology surveyed 3,000 women between 1984 and 1986.

These women were questioned about frequency, duration and intensity of their fitness regimes. Factors like age, weight, marital status and smoking were also taken into account.

After 10 years of follow up, all these women were questioned about their pregnancies. It was found a quarter of these women could not conceive during first year of trying.

It was also noted that the hardest trainers were three times more likely to have fertility problems compared to the moderate trainers.

Overall, younger women below 30 were found to be more vulnerable to the risk of reduced fertility.

Sigridur Lara Gudmundsdottir, who led the study, said, "Among all these women, we found two groups who experienced an increased risk of infertility.

"There were those who trained almost every day, and there were those who trained until they were completely exhausted. Those who did both had the highest risk of infertility
."

Previous studies have also shown that those women who push themselves beyond their limit while working out have problems starting a family.

Negative effects not permanent
The findings of the study suggest that majority of the women had conceived in the end. This implied that the negative effects of too much regular exercising were not permanent.

"The vast majority of women in the study had children in the end," Gudmundsdottir said.

"And those who trained the hardest in the middle of the 1980s were actually among those who had the most children in the 1990s," she added.

However, the researchers suggested that women should go for moderate physical activity to remain at the safer side.

"We believe it is likely that physical activity at a very high or very low level has a negative effect on fertility, while moderate activity is beneficial," Gudmundsdottir recommended.

Source : themedguru.com