Weight Not a Factor Among Women Using Fertility Technologies to Become Pregnant

KatCarney · 10-13-2003, 12:15 PM

Weight Not a Factor Among Women Using Fertility Technologies to Become Pregnant

Newswise — Impaired uterine function is not the cause of lower birth rates among overweight women using fertility technologies to become pregnant, according to a Mayo Clinic study published in the August 2003 issue of Fertility and Sterility.

Previous studies have shown that overweight women using fertility technologies such as in vitro fertilization have significantly lower birth rates. This fact has caused some researchers to question whether body mass somehow disrupts endometrial function -- the ability of the uterus to receive an embryo and carry a pregnancy to term.

The Mayo Clinic study results painted a more encouraging picture for overweight women using fertility technologies.

"Our research shows that when we control variables such as hormone levels and embryo quality, the uterus works fine, regardless of body mass. The key is good embryos," says Ian Tummon, M.D., a Mayo Clinic reproductive endocrinologist who is the study’s principal investigator.

The study involved 96 women of childbearing age whose body mass indices ranged from below normal to obese. Each woman received hormone injections to prepare the uterus to receive embryos.

Researchers made efforts to standardize the quality of embryos implanted.

Embryo implantation rates for non-obese and obese subjects were nearly equal (27 percent and 29 percent, respectively). Live birth rates also were comparable, with 44 percent of non-obese and 42 percent of obese women giving birth.

Although the Mayo Clinic study suggests that uterine function is not the cause of lower birth rates among overweight women using fertility technologies, it also raises questions.

"We still need to explore possible connections between weight and other factors such as hormone levels or embryo development, which can affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant and carry a pregnancy to term," says Dr. Tummon.

nisee · 10-13-2003, 01:56 PM

Thanks Kat!!I will be doing IVF next month and this article has gave me hope ,that weight is not the issue!!!

Thanks so much,
Nisee

katiemae · 10-13-2003, 02:00 PM

Thank you Kat, I have e-mailed this article to a couple of friends going through IVF!

ellialex · 10-13-2003, 05:17 PM

I hope anyone doesnt mind if I make this sticky. Let me know if this is not a good idea.

Jenbean · 10-23-2003, 05:11 PM

my doctor needs to read this!!! printing now!

wendsUK · 10-26-2003, 12:19 PM

Things are just so different in the UK. I have been trying to get some IVF for abou 2 years. Every Dr I see tells me, "you can;t have it till you have lost the weight". It just seems that in the UK if your fat, you don;t have the right to the same treatment as a skinny person. But also the Dr's dont understand that your fat because of a condition... so I will be printing that off for my Dr when i seem him on tues.

Many thanks

Wendy
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

clarabell55 · 01-28-2004, 05:44 AM

Thanks that is great info.

I understand what Wendy says, no-one in the uk can understand you are overweight because of a condition they just think you are making an excuse, don't they.
My gyne Dr is quite good, compared to some of the stories I have seen on these boards. He has mentioned my weight but only in passing and has never said he won't treat me because of it, he says he understands that it is hard to loose with PCOS. I suppose i am just one of the lucky one s in the uk, shame the rest of society here isn't as understanding eh.

Clare xx

LadyZeta89 · 02-18-2004, 12:08 AM

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
It gives me hope to read this info.
I have been overweight all of my life. My OB/GYN dr. kept telling me I needed to loose weight before I had children. I had 2 miscarriages and was dx with PCOS. When I started seeing the fertility dr. he never really mentioned loosing weight.
I believe weight is just a soft falling place as an excuse for so many problems when people don't really understand what is going on. Yes I understand that extra weight can cause alot of problems but it is not the root of ALL evil.
DON'T HATE ME BECAUSE I AM VOLUPTUOUS!!

coochycoo · 10-24-2004, 12:32 AM

Here in australia they seem to be only concerned with weight and nothing else. Not only in fertility but any illness i have had is because of my weight.

Apperently i am evil for being overweight

danibell · 04-05-2005, 12:58 AM

Wow I must say this too has given me hope! I have always been a little chubby, but since I got married 7 yrs ago I have really gained weight and find it impossible to lose it! I was just diagnosed with IR pcos last week and found it it's probably the cause of my overweight, so I'm starting weight watchers diet and moderate exercise, I'm hoping that along with the metformin next month will help me lose a little and still get preggo
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Thank goodness my doc didn't tell me she wouldn't treat me until I lost weight, I'd be finding a new RE
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

BlueGin · 05-09-2005, 10:40 AM

That is too true Coochycoo! I am at the top end of my healthy weight range, but for me that is hardly what I would call fat as I have pretty muscly legs from sport, and have always weighed more than I look (if you know what i mean!).
I went to the doc a while ago with a really upset stomach and he said it was all the fatty food I eat... I said "but I eat really well, barely any fat in my diet!"
Needless to say he didn't believe me, he said that I must because otherwise I wouldn't be fat and getting sick. What an idiot! As if our crazy hormones and weight control issues aren't bad enough without fools like that around!

only-an-auntie · 06-07-2005, 02:29 PM

Sorry im new here... but whats a "Stikcy"?
and secondly... dont feel bad my OB wont even perscribe clomid till i loose some weight. I feel so bullied by her-Ive gone to her since Oct. and - Ive probably received more info about my dx on this site than from her. I had no idea what PCOS was - she made me believe it was the first stages of Diabetes and thats about it... Im very greatful for this site- Ive learned so much about me here and got alot of my own questions answered... im still trying to learn all the lingo though. - but received much encouragement. thanks...

muppetgirl · 07-20-2005, 10:16 PM

Thank you so much for that posting. It would be great to be able to find a Dr. here that would listen to that. I can't even find a reproductive endocrinologist here to see me because of my size :-(

LMHCLinda · 10-05-2005, 02:44 PM

Thanks for this sticky! It has given me hope because I am having a hard time to find a doctor that will work with me until I lose weight too! Its is very discouraging- especialy when you are 37 and feel like your time is running out!!

Enshoku · 10-16-2005, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendsUK

Things are just so different in the UK. I have been trying to get some IVF for abou 2 years. Every Dr I see tells me, "you can;t have it till you have lost the weight". It just seems that in the UK if your fat, you don;t have the right to the same treatment as a skinny person. But also the Dr's dont understand that your fat because of a condition... so I will be printing that off for my Dr when i seem him on tues.

Many thanks

Wendy
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I am having that problem here in Mexico. My Gyno in America was about to start more aggressive treatment to help me to conceive, but then my husband had to transfer to Mexico. Now, I am screwed since the doctors here want me to weigh 130 lbs before they even think of me getting pregnant. I am 200 plus and 36 with thyroid issues and pcos. I really do not want to wait for something that could take years, when I am told the older I get the harder it is to conceive. Ugggh!