Fatigue, Weight Gain Could Signal Inflammation, Warns Expert on Fertility Risks

Persistent fatigue, stubborn weight gain and unexplained fertility struggles may share a common root: chronic inflammation.

“Across populations, inflammation is increasingly emerging as a common thread behind many fertility-related concerns,” says Dr Shivika Gupta, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility & IVF. “While inflammation protects the body from infection and supports healing, when it becomes chronic, it can quietly damage tissues and disrupt vital systems.”

Acute vs Chronic Inflammation

Dr Gupta explains that inflammation exists in two forms.

Acute inflammation is short-term and protective — the body’s natural response to injury or infection. Chronic inflammation, however, is low-grade and persistent. It can linger for months or years, often without obvious symptoms.

This prolonged inflammatory state is frequently driven by poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, metabolic imbalances and diets high in ultra-processed foods. Over time, it interferes with how the body produces energy, regulates hormones and maintains cellular function.

Why Fatigue and Weight Gain Occur

“One of the earliest and most common signs is persistent fatigue,” Dr Gupta says. Chronic inflammation affects mitochondrial function — the mechanism by which cells generate energy — leaving individuals feeling drained even when routine blood tests appear normal.

Inflammation also alters metabolic health. It reduces insulin sensitivity and promotes fat storage, particularly around the abdomen. This abdominal fat, in turn, releases inflammatory chemicals, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that makes weight management increasingly difficult.

Impact on Overall Health

Long-term inflammation has been linked to conditions such as ulcerative colitis, cardiovascular disease, endometriosis and certain cancers. But its effect on reproductive health often receives less attention.

“In women, chronic inflammation can disrupt hormone regulation, impair egg quality, affect ovulation and alter the uterine lining,” Dr Gupta explains. “All of these factors can reduce the likelihood of successful implantation and pregnancy.”

Effects on Male Fertility

The impact is not limited to women.

“In men, sustained inflammation increases oxidative stress in the testes,” she says. This oxidative damage can affect sperm membranes and DNA, leading to reduced sperm count, poor motility and higher levels of DNA fragmentation.

Alarmingly, these changes are being observed even in younger men without clear reproductive disorders, suggesting broader lifestyle and environmental influences.

Managing Inflammation

Dr Gupta emphasises that reducing inflammation forms the foundation of reproductive health — whether or not assisted treatments are involved.

“Lifestyle intervention is crucial,” she notes. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, effective stress management and a balanced diet rich in fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole foods and healthy fats can significantly lower chronic inflammation.

Addressing these factors not only improves fertility outcomes but also strengthens long-term metabolic and cardiovascular health.

In a time when fatigue and weight gain are often dismissed as routine stress, experts suggest they may be early signals worth paying attention to — particularly for those planning a family.