Can pre-pregnancy weight loss improve your fertility?

Since fertility struggles can frustratingly be caused by factors completely outside of your control, you may focus on what you can influence, such as weight loss, to improve your chances of bringing a baby into the world.

While many conversations surround the topic, the general consensus has always been that maintaining a healthy weight will improve your chances of naturally getting pregnant. But can pre-pregnancy weight loss also increase your chances of a good outcome when using fertility treatments, like in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Does weight loss improve overall fertility? 

A recent Annals of Internal Medicine study suggests there may be a correlation. The study found that the introduction of a supervised weight loss program, specifically a low-energy diet replacement program, prior to pregnancy could increase a patient’s chance of becoming pregnant naturally instead of needing to use fertility treatment options, such as IVF. 

The trial focused primarily on conception success, so the researchers stressed a need for larger, high-quality trials that explore the larger effects of weight loss on live births. 

“This analysis is a promising start in helping us see a larger picture of how weight affects people’s ability to conceive,” says Dr. Rebecca Pierson, a reproductive endocrinologist at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. “IVF is a stressful and costly treatment for many patients. Our hope is always to improve people’s ability to conceive and have successful births with or without fertility treatments.” 

Does weight loss have the same effect on IVF success?  

“While the findings suggest a larger correlation between natural pregnancy and weight loss, it’s important to remember the connection between IVF and weight loss is inconclusive,” explains Dr. Pierson. “Weight loss can improve fertility outcomes, but it’s unclear from this analysis if it improves the chance of pregnancy with fertility treatments.” 

In general, maintaining a healthy weight is beneficial for a number of reasons, including healthier pregnancies; however, everyone’s journey and body are unique.  

“Starting a pregnancy carrying too much weight can lead to complications, but this doesn’t mean every person living with obesity will have issues during their pregnancy,” says Dr. Pierson. “These people can still have successful, healthy pregnancies.” 

Dr. Pierson also stresses that we need larger research trials before definitively linking pre-pregnancy weight loss to increased success with IVF.  

As always, focusing on a healthy diet, getting regular exercise and working with your health care providers on your fertility goals is the best way to set yourself up for success.  

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