Again you may ask, how does excess weight affect the success of assisted reproductive (ART) procedures? We know from research that a lowered or elevated BMI significantly reduces the chance of achieving a pregnancy after In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET). Several studies have shown that being either underweight or over weight can have a negative effect on IVF outcome leading to a decreased chance of pregnancy from these procedures.

As for the effect loss on fertility, I can tell you that efforts aimed at reducing weight overweight women restore menstrual cycle regularity. To be   exact, it would interest you to know that a weight reduction of 5 percent is enough to restore normal menstrual cycle function in up to 60 percent of overweight women. Furthermore, if an overweight female partner reduces her weight before undergoing IVF the chance of becoming pregnant is dramatically improved.

The bottom line is that a woman’s weight can affect her fertility. We know that at both extremes (very thin and obese) there can be disruption of the normal process of regular, consistent ovulation. Anovulation can often result.

Medications can be used to induce ovulation in these women in an attempt to become pregnant.