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Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss

Women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) who take part in weight loss programs prior to treatment have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally, compared to those receiving minimal or no weight loss assistance, suggests the latest comprehensive review of relevant data in the field.

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Overweight women undergoing IVF treatments become nearly 50% more probable to conceive naturally...
Overweight women undergoing IVF treatments become nearly 50% more probable to conceive naturally post-weight loss.

Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss

In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Oxford have found that weight loss interventions before In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can significantly increase total pregnancy rates for women with obesity. The comprehensive review, published in the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine, could potentially improve outcomes for patients from more deprived areas and certain ethnic backgrounds who are more likely to live with obesity.

The study, titled 'The Effect of Weight Loss Before In Vitro Fertilization on Reproductive Outcomes in Women With Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', analyzed 12 international trials involving 1,921 women. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and aimed to determine which interventions are most effective and for whom.

The review synthesized evidence from a wide range of interventions, including diet programs, exercise, and weight loss medications such as orlistat and older GLP-1 agonists. Participants were mostly women in their early 30s with a median baseline Body Mass Index (BMI) of about 33.6 kg/m².

The pregnancy outcomes assessed were unassisted pregnancy (natural conception without IVF), treatment-induced pregnancy (pregnancy via IVF), overall pregnancy (both combined), and live birth rate. The review found moderate-certainty evidence that weight loss before IVF increases unassisted pregnancy rates and overall pregnancies. However, the effect on IVF-driven pregnancy rates and live birth rates was inconclusive.

The researchers emphasized the need for further high-quality trials testing different and more effective weight loss methods, especially those leading to greater weight loss such as low-energy total diet replacement programs. They also suggested that such a programme could make it possible for women to access IVF services, which are often restricted by NHS commissioning bodies in England for women with a BMI over 30.

Dr Michalopoulou, one of the study's authors, stated that an intensive supported weight loss programme could help many women with obesity conceive naturally. On average, women in the intervention groups lost 4kg more than those in the comparison groups. The study found that weight loss interventions increased the odds of any pregnancy (naturally or by IVF) by 21%.

However, the study found a trend toward smaller benefits for natural conception in studies with more women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Professor Astbury, another author, emphasized the need for further investigation on this observed trend.

In conclusion, for women with obesity seeking IVF, losing weight beforehand appears to improve their chances of conceiving naturally, thereby increasing total pregnancy rates. However, its impact on IVF success and live birth outcomes needs further strong evidence. This conclusion is based on the largest and most recent systematic review and meta-analysis examining this question to date.

  1. The groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford focuses on weight loss interventions before In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and their impact on pregnancy rates in women with obesity.
  2. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, aims to improve outcomes for patients from deprived areas and certain ethnic backgrounds, who are more likely to live with obesity.
  3. The study, titled 'The Effect of Weight Loss Before In Vitro Fertilization on Reproductive Outcomes in Women With Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis', analyzed 12 international trials involving 1,921 women.
  4. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and aimed to determine which interventions are most effective and for whom.
  5. The review synthesized evidence from a wide range of interventions, including diet programs, exercise, and weight loss medications such as orlistat and older GLP-1 agonists.
  6. Participants were mostly women in their early 30s with a median baseline Body Mass Index (BMI) of about 33.6 kg/m².
  7. The pregnancy outcomes assessed were unassisted pregnancy (natural conception without IVF), treatment-induced pregnancy (pregnancy via IVF), overall pregnancy (both combined), and live birth rate.
  8. The review found moderate-certainty evidence that weight loss before IVF increases unassisted pregnancy rates and overall pregnancies.
  9. However, the effect on IVF-driven pregnancy rates and live birth rates was inconclusive.
  10. The researchers emphasized the need for further high-quality trials testing different and more effective weight loss methods.
  11. They also suggested that such a programme could make it possible for women to access IVF services, often restricted by NHS commissioning bodies in England for women with a BMI over 30.
  12. Dr Michalopoulou, one of the study's authors, stated that an intensive supported weight loss programme could help many women with obesity conceive naturally.
  13. On average, women in the intervention groups lost 4kg more than those in the comparison groups.
  14. The study found that weight loss interventions increased the odds of any pregnancy (naturally or by IVF) by 21%.
  15. However, the study found a trend toward smaller benefits for natural conception in studies with more women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
  16. Professor Astbury, another author, emphasized the need for further investigation on this observed trend.
  17. This conclusion is based on the largest and most recent systematic review and meta-analysis examining this question to date, contributing to the field of workplace-wellness and medical-conditions such as chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, cance, respiratory-conditions, digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, health-and-wellness, sexual-health, family-health, Alzheimers-disease, autoimmune-disorders, mental-health, skin-care, therapies-and-treatments, women's-health, menopause, parenting, weight-management, multiple-sclerosis, migraine, cardiovascular-health, psoriasis, Medicare, CBD, rheumatoid-arthritis, neurological-disorders, breast-cancer, and skin-conditions.

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