The Impact of Physical Activity on Female Fertility- A Review of Current Literature

Background. Physical activity is a key lifestyle factor influencing fertility. As more women delay pregnancy, it's important they understand which modifiable factors can impact their reproductive health. Aim. The aim of this article is to give women more accurate information. Present the data that is currently available to demonstrate how often, how intense, and which exercises are ideal for their reproductive system health when they participate in a sport that will help them keep or improve their fertility. Material and methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, GoogleScholar, and WebScience databases, focusing on the following keywords: female fertility, physical activity, reproduction health, lifestyle factors and exercise. The search covered publications from 2002 to 2025. Results. Light to moderate physical activity (<6 METs) improves metabolic health, reduces stress, and supports hormonal balance, all of which benefit female fertility. Even vigorous activity (>6 METs) improves ovulation and conception rates in overweight or obese women. However, prolonged intense exercise combined with a low-calorie diet can disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to irregular periods, anovulation, or secondary amenorrhea. Conclusions. One significant and modifiable component in the control and improvement of female fertility should be physical activity. However, light to moderate exercise is good for you and should be promoted, especially for women who have metabolic disorders or lead sedentary lives. The vigorous exercise may have a detrimental effect on reproductive health, apart from women who are overweight or obese.