Earlier this week female football players Sam Kerr and Kristie Mewis announced their pregnancy. Both are professional athletes and exercise intensely. This might affect the chances of getting pregnant and the pregnancy itself. What effect does intense sport have on a woman’s fertility?

Sport is good for your health even during pregnancy. It can have positive effects on your body, but when is it to much?

Research published by the National Library of Medicine talks about the effect of physical activity on fertility. According to this research, women who exercise frequently have a decreased chance of conception. A woman who does two hours a week of vigorous exercise, is 16% less likely to get pregnant. Three to four hours of intense sports per week provides a reduced chance of 27% to conceive and more than five hours provides even 32%.

Moderate activity, on the other hand, improves fertility. A woman who engages in moderate sports for two hours increases her pregnancy chances by 15%.

Why does it happen?
What’s the reason behind this decrease in fertility? A good blood flow to your uterus and ovaries is important for the quality of your endometrium and your eggs. When resting or during a gentle movement, only 10% of your blood goes to these places. During exercise, it is even less. Furthermore, an important balance between the energy you consume and the energy you take in is important. Eating little and exercising a lot does not have a positive effect on your fertility.

Exercising on a high level can lead to problems such as luteal insufficiency. This means that the woman keeps their menstruation cycle and keeps ovulation but in the second stage of the cycle the progesterone production decreases. The lack of progesterone can lead to a failed implantation or early miscarriages.

In the worst-case scenario, sporters on high level can suffer from amenorrhea or better known as the absence of menstruation. Symptoms of amenorrhea are sleep disorders, vaginal dryness, hair loss and anovulation.

Professional athletes and family planning
For women whose careers revolve around sports, such as professional football players who train four to five hours daily, fertility can become a complex issue. Many female athletes delay motherhood due to career demands, social pressures, and economic factors. While postponing pregnancy may provide flexibility, it often comes with its own set of challenges, including age-related declines in fertility. For those who choose to become mothers’ mid-career, stepping away from competitive sports involves significant physical and emotional sacrifices, followed by a demanding comeback.

Luckily there are also less intense sports that even have a positive effect on fertility. Yoga is one of them. 87 studies prove that yoga has a positive effect on fertility and on the IVF journey. Again, even yoga becomes a problem when doing it too much or too intense.

While exercise is essential for physical and mental health, moderation is key, especially for women trying to conceive. For professional athletes and active women alike, understanding the impact of intense training on fertility is vital. By prioritizing balance and making informed choices, women can pursue their athletic goals while also nurturing their dreams of starting a family.

Text: Nohr Pardon
Image: © Deon Black