Brno - Women unable to conceive often seek artificial insemination. But a study by a Czech fertility treatment clinic has shown that for up to 30 percent of Czech women a mere change of diet would suffice to solve their problem.

The study, exploring the role nutrition plays in female fertility, was conducted by the Center of Assisted Reproduction (CAR) in Brno. The researchers have discovered that nutrition disorders, especially overweight and obesity, are among the most common causes of infertility in the Czech Republic.

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BMI over 25 is a problem

Doctor Igor Crha says that obese women tend to suffer from abnormal cycles, and that they are less likely to conceive, even through artificial insemination.

Brno doctors now plan to raise awareness of the issue, and encourage overweight women to first adjust their diet with the help of nutrition experts and only then seek fertility treatment.

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"This will increase the woman's chances to conceive much more than if we tried to develop some new method of artificial insemination," says CAR head Pavel Ventruba. He will now send all patients with a body mass index (BMI) over 25 to a dietitian half a year before artificial insemination.

Ventruba added that the problem is also that general practitioners and gynaecologists fail to see obesity as a reason behind infertility.

Healthy food and exercise

In the Czech Republic, 68 percent of women and 72 percent of men suffer from overweight or obesity, including 35 percent of pregnant women. Overweight and obesity are factors decreasing ova production and increases the risk of miscarriage, C-section, diabetes or hypertension.

Nutrition consultant Alena Mottlová from St. Anne's University Hospital in Brno says that for many women who want to have children it is enough to eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise. "They should start with this at least six months before getting pregnant."

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