Many factors can affect a woman's fertility, including her weight, reproductive health, and levels of exposure to environmental toxins.
As I researched this topic, I found that even drugs a woman has taken in the past, including fat burners, can also affect it. But how?
After poring through tons of scientific journals to seek the opinion of medical experts, here’s what I learned.
Quick Summary
- Fat burners can affect your fertility because caffeine, one of the ingredients is known to lower the chances of getting pregnant.
- Drastic weight loss from fat burners can affect your hormonal balance, which in turn can affect your fertility.
- Caffeine also increases the chances of suffering from miscarriage during early pregnancy.
- To boost your fertility while on fat burners, consume protein-rich foods, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
The Link Between Weight And Fertility
Research has shown that obesity and being underweight are linked to fertility.
In his book "How To Have A Baby - Overcoming Infertility,” Dr. Aniruddha N. Malpani said that 30% of a woman’s estrogen supply is produced by her fat cells.
So if a woman is overweight or underweight, she can disturb her hormone balances, which, in turn, can seriously impact fertility.
But is it a good idea to take fat burners during pregnancy? Let’s find out.
How Fat Burners Affect Conception And Pregnancy
The FDA doesn't regulate fat burners, which means there is little research on the ingredients, safety, and effects of a pill on fertility.
However, numerous studies have shown that weight loss pills contain substances that can affect a woman's fertility and, ultimately, pregnancy. One example is caffeine, one of the most common ingredients used in fat burners.
According to research, caffeine can increase your heart rate and respiration rate, but it can also decrease your fertility.
A recent study also found that caffeine increases your chances of suffering a miscarriage during early pregnancy, which is why women who are trying to conceive or get pregnant should limit their caffeine consumption to doses of only 100 to 200 mg daily [1].
The caffeine in many diet supplements on the market far exceeds this amount, and experts agree that it's best to avoid its use altogether during pregnancy.
In addition, skipping any diet pills can also prevent any birth defects that might affect your child for the rest of his or her life.
So the rule of thumb is that women should avoid anything that can hurt their conception and pregnancy, including the use of any diet pills.
Weight Loss And Diet During Pregnancy
Rapid weight loss during pregnancy is unsafe, so don't skimp on food or try to lose weight at this time.
Unless you're obese, you should be gaining weight as your baby grows in the uterus.
According to Dr. Nabaneeta Padhy of Femelife Fertility, women trying to conceive should maintain a healthy weight.
To achieve this, pregnant women should increase their calories with whole grains, fiber-rich foods, fruits, veggies, and protein-rich food.
Fat-burning supplements will only stop the natural weight gain and nutrition that a woman needs to help her baby fully develop before delivery.
Dr. Padhy, who is also a consultant gynecologist and IVF specialist, adds that the ketones produced from a fat burner diet may harm the organ development in the growing fetus which is why it is not recommended for pregnant women.
Your partner's weight matters, too. There's a great deal of evidence linking obesity in men to low sperm count and motility, so your man should also maintain a healthy weight if getting pregnant is your goal.
A healthcare professional specializing in pregnancy should be consulted when considering weight loss supplements or dietary changes for mother and baby. Keeping a healthy diet and exercising regularly is always important.
This is rather than relying on quick fixes or potentially harmful weight loss supplements.
What If I’m Already Taking Diet Pills?
If you're taking fat burners and thinking of getting pregnant, stop taking them and seek the help of your health provider.
Ask them any questions you may have and talk to them about creating a diet plan that will help you shed off the pounds safely after giving birth.
With a proper diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, you can lose weight the natural way and build healthy habits—all without the help of any diet pills.
Some of the best fat burners:
FAQs
What are the side effects of fat burners?
The most common side effects of fat burners are constipation, nausea, gas, diarrhea, and black stools. Infrequent side effects include vomiting and abdominal bloating and pain.
Do fat burners affect hormones?
Fat burners are known to raise the level of stress hormones in your body called cortisol, which can cause weight gain, high blood pressure, and mood swings.
Can weight loss pills affect pregnancy?
Yes. Numerous studies have shown that diet pills can harm your pregnancy because they contain high levels of caffeine.
Diet Pills And Fertility: Final Thoughts
During pregnancy, the safety of both mother and child should always take center.
So, before taking diet pills—or any pill, for that matter—it's best to first seek professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your doctor, especially if you're trying to conceive.
But even without a professional's opinion, one thing remains clear: Fat burners put you at greater risk of endangering your pregnancy, and a woman certainly doesn't need them during this period in their lives.
Have you tried taking diet pills? What are your experiences with it? Let us know in the comments below.
References
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/couples-pre-pregnancy-caffeine-consumption-linked-miscarriage-risk
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