Obesity, Diabetes and Reproductive Health

Siew S. Lim, MND, PhD

Eleanor P. Thong, MBBS, PhD

As the global prevalence of obesity continues to climb exponentially, a concurrent increase in diabetes is now evident in both developed and developing countries. Obesity and diabetes have deleterious effects on reproductive health and affect fertility in a myriad of ways, including but not limited to perturbations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, oocyte quality and implantation. The relationship between obesity, diabetes and reproductive disorders is multidirectional, where obesity increases the risk of diabetes and diabetes in turn exacerbates weight gain via insulin resistance and exogenous insulin administration. The interplay between obesity and insulin resistance underlies the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrinopathy in reproductive aged women. Diabetes and obesity both lead to a pro-inflammatory milieu, impairing ovarian follicle and steroid hormone production,[1] leading to menstrual disturbance. On the other hand, PCOS is associated with an increased risk of obesity and dysglycaemia, cementing the link between reproductive and metabolic health.

The relationship between obesity, diabetes and reproductive health is highlighted at specific reproductive stages. During the preconception phase, women with obesity are at higher risk of PCOS or infertility. After conception, pre-existing obesity and excess gestational weight gain increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, hypertension and pre-eclampsia.[2] There are also further considerations in managing pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy where blood glucose control can be challenging due to changes in insulin sensitivity with each trimester.[3] Higher body mass index and poorer glycaemic control are associated with increased risks of adverse effects to the fetus, such as macrosomia or intrauterine growth restriction. In the postpartum period and beyond, a history of pregnancy with complications such as gestational diabetes increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life,[4] especially in those with excess weight gain.[5] Therefore, early recognition and management of these risk factors are vital to optimize pregnancy and long-term maternal health outcomes.

In this issue, we cover the epidemiology and mechanisms of obesity in women with diabetes and describe the relationships between obesity, diabetes and reproductive disorders. We discuss the prevention of these conditions in the preconception, intrapartum and postpartum phases. The short- and long-term management and prognosis of these conditions are also discussed in more detail. Finally, perspectives on the whole-person impact these conditions have on individuals, in terms of stigma and mental health consequences, are explored.

We hope that the articles in this issue will be a valuable resource to clinicians and scientists alike, for improving the care of reproductive-aged women at increased risk of metabolic disease. In addition, we aim to promote a greater awareness and interest on the effects of obesity and diabetes on female reproductive health, and timely management of these conditions from preconception to postpartum, and beyond.

Publication History

Article published online:
31 March 2021

• References

• 1 Thong EP, Codner E, Laven JSE, Teede H. Diabetes: a metabolic and reproductive disorder in women. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2020; 8 (02) 134-149
• 2 Goldstein RF, Abell SK, Ranasinha S. et al. Association of Gestational Weight Gain With Maternal and Infant Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA 2017; 317 (21) 2207-2225
• 3 Schaefer-Graf U, Napoli A, Nolan CJ. Diabetic Pregnancy Study Group. Diabetes in pregnancy: a new decade of challenges ahead. Diabetologia 2018; 61 (05) 1012-1021
• 4 Vounzoulaki E, Khunti K, Abner SC, Tan BK, Davies MJ, Gillies CL. Progression to type 2 diabetes in women with a known history of gestational diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ 2020; 369: m1361
• 5 Moon JH, Kwak SH, Jung HS. et al. Weight Gain and Progression to Type 2 Diabetes in Women With a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100 (09) 3548-3555