Dr. Rohani Nayak Explains: The Link Between Festive Feasting and Fertility
By the time the festive lights come down, many people notice a quiet shift in their bodies — a couple of kilos gained, energy dipping slightly. On its own, this change feels harmless. But when someone is preparing for pregnancy or thinking about IVF, even modest weight fluctuations can start influencing how the body functions hormonally and metabolically, says Dr Rohani Nayak, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF, Bhubaneswar.
When small gains begin to matter
Short-term weight gain of one or two kilos rarely alters fertility. The concern begins when body weight consistently pushes the Body Mass Index (BMI) beyond the healthy range. Research has shown that women with a BMI above 30 may see IVF success rates drop by 20–30 per cent compared to women in the healthy range. Even a 5–10 per cent increase in body weight can disrupt ovulation patterns, especially in those already prone to cycle irregularity or PCOS.
Fat tissue is hormonally active. As it increases, oestrogen levels rise in ways that confuse normal ovulation signalling. Cycles may lengthen, egg quality may soften slightly, and response to fertility medication can become less predictable.
Men are not immune to the impact
Weight gain affects sperm health too. Large population studies have linked overweight and obesity with roughly 15–25 per cent lower sperm concentration and motility. Increased abdominal fat raises scrotal temperature and alters testosterone balance, subtly lowering sperm quality over time. For couples entering IVF, this can influence embryo development and fertilisation rates more than most realise.
Why timing matters before IVF
Weight does not need to be ‘perfect’ to conceive or proceed with treatment. What matters is metabolic stability. Clinics often see better ovarian response, safer stimulation cycles, and smoother embryo transfers when BMI sits within a controlled range. Even modest weight correction – 5%of body weight – has been shown to improve ovulation and insulin sensitivity in many patients.
A realistic path forward
Festive indulgence does not undo fertility potential. What helps is returning to steady routines: balanced meals, regular walking, sleep discipline, and avoiding crash dieting. The body responds better to consistency than to extremes. For anyone planning IVF in the coming months, addressing weight gently and early often creates a calmer, more predictable treatment journey – both physically and emotionally.
