Weight Loss Before IVF Boosts Pregnancy Chances, Study Finds

Recent research indicates that losing weight prior to undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) may significantly enhance the likelihood of achieving pregnancy. A comprehensive review and meta-analysis of multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examined whether weight management interventions before fertility treatments improve reproductive outcomes. The results demonstrated that women who engaged in weight loss efforts before IVF experienced higher rates of unassisted conception, meaning they became pregnant without further medical intervention. However, the impact on live birth rates remains uncertain.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford, analyzed data from 12 RCTs involving 1,921 women with a median age in their early 30s and a median BMI of 33.6 kg/m². Participants included women seeking IVF with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertility. The interventions tested ranged from low-energy diets and combined exercise and diet programs to pharmacotherapy alongside lifestyle advice.

Findings suggested that pre-treatment weight loss increased overall pregnancy rates primarily through an increase in unassisted pregnancies, which could reduce the need for invasive procedures. Evidence regarding the effect of these interventions on IVF treatment pregnancies or live births was inconclusive, although there was moderate evidence indicating no significant link to pregnancy loss.

These insights underscore the potential benefits of weight management efforts before fertility treatment, especially in women with obesity. Nonetheless, further high-quality clinical trials are needed to explore which specific interventions might yield the greatest benefits, particularly low-energy diet programs that can promote substantial weight loss. The study highlights the importance of personalized preconception health strategies to optimize fertility outcomes.

Source: Medical Xpress