Hunger Hormone and Fertility

Are hunger hormones and fertility connected? Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine would say, YES!

The hunger hormone they looked at is called ghrelin and is produced in the stomach and brain. This hormone signals the body that it needs food, in addition to helping regulate food cravings. When a woman is overweight, the amount of the ghrelin hormone decreases. The important part of this is that when the ghrelin level drops in a woman, so does the strength of the HOXA 10 gene. And….the HOXA 10 gene is critical in the development of the uterus. Irregularities in uterus development can lead to struggles with fertility.

Also, these researchers believe that even if women are able to become pregnant with low levels of this hormone, that the babies may not develop in a healthy manner.

Ghrelin and HOXA 10 levels……….. another question to ask your fertility specialist about!