Is it difficult for people with obesity to get pregnant?

Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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Patients with obesity, especially women with excessive abdominal fat, often experience disrupted hormonal balance due to altered levels of circulating sex hormones. This frequently leads to ovulatory abnormalities and excess androgens, often accompanied by reproductive dysfunction. As a result, such conditions manifest as difficulty in conceiving, and are commonly associated with menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and infertility. Some patients may also develop polycystic ovary syndrome. Even in pregnant obese women, the risks of diabetes and hypertension increase, as do the risks of complications during childbirth and congenital abnormalities in their infants. Therefore, it is crucial for women of childbearing age to maintain a normal weight.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
1min home-news-image

What department should I register for obesity?

For obesity, one should register for an appointment in the endocrinology department. Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Obesity often occurs due to a higher calorie intake than expenditure in the body, resulting in excessive fat accumulation and thus overweight and bulky physique. An actual weight measurement exceeding 20% of the standard weight, and a fat percentage exceeding 30% can be classified as obesity. In endocrinology, obesity is generally divided into primary and secondary types. Some secondary factors, such as hypothalamic-pituitary disorders, hypercortisolism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, insulinomas, etc., can cause secondary obesity, therefore, it is appropriate to consult the endocrinology department for obesity.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
38sec home-news-image

Obesity is classified as what type of disease?

Obesity, also known as adiposis, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation or abnormal distribution of body fat. Patients with this type of obesity often have excessive abdominal fat accumulation. Moreover, obesity is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, cholecystitis, gallstones, osteoarticular disease, certain cancers, and various cardiovascular diseases.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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What department should I go to for obesity?

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that belongs to the field of endocrinology, so the first choice for early-stage obesity is to see an endocrinologist. Some hospitals also have specialized weight management departments, which are also an option for consultation. When obesity is accompanied by other serious comorbid conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure, in addition to seeing an endocrinologist, it is also necessary to visit the cardiology department. If there is concomitant osteoarthritis, a visit to the orthopedics department is needed. Women suffering from menstrual irregularities or infertility should consult with a gynecologist. In summary, obesity is a disease that can cause multiple metabolic abnormalities and damage multiple systems, requiring early prevention and treatment.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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What tests are needed for obesity?

Obesity, also known as adiposity, is a chronic metabolic disease caused by excessive accumulation of fat or abnormal fat distribution in the body. Therefore, once obesity is diagnosed, it is necessary to conduct tests related to metabolism, such as blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, and blood uric acid, which are commonly known as the "four highs" tests. Additionally, liver function tests and kidney function tests should be completed to exclude obesity caused by other diseases. It is also necessary to conduct examinations for pituitary tumors, adrenal cortex function, and thyroid function to determine whether the obesity is secondary to other diseases.

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Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
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Will obesity be inherited?

The primary cause of simple obesity, where the reason for being overweight is unclear, is an energy intake that exceeds energy expenditure. There are also certain genetic factors involved. Generally, it is believed that susceptibility to obesity varies among human races, along with the presence of obesity genes and variations in genes related to obesity. Additionally, an individual’s metabolic type, appetite, digestive absorption functions, sleep quality, and metabolic efficiency form the basis for the development of simple obesity. Poor lifestyle habits, such as insufficient physical activity and excessive energy intake, are necessary conditions for its occurrence. Epidemiological surveys have shown that most people with simple obesity have a familial tendency towards the condition. Children born to obese parents are 5-8 times more likely to develop simple obesity than those born to parents who both have a normal weight. However, the majority of cases of simple obesity are not caused by obesity genes or mutations in genes related to obesity.