IVF effective for overweight women, study finds

Women who are overweight or obese are as likely to benefit from infertility treatment as women of a normal weight, new research suggests.

Scientists at the University of Aberdeen carried out a study involving 1,700 women, all of whom underwent their first IVF cycle between 1997 and 2006.

Of the women studied, 28 per cent were deemed to be overweight, eight per cent were obese and five per cent were heavily obese.

The researchers found no difference between overweight, obese and normal-weight women in terms of positive pregnancy tests, ongoing pregnancies and live births, the BBC reports.

However, overweight and obese women were found to be more likely to suffer a miscarriage and they also required higher doses of drugs designed to stimulate the ovaries.

Lead researcher Dr Abha Maheshwari, clinical lecturer in reproductive medicine at the University of Aberdeen, told the BBC that contrary to the practices of most NHS primary care trusts, IVF should not be restricted among overweight women.

Weight Concern suggests that overweight or obese people should aim to lose ten per cent of their body weight and then maintain this weight loss for a few months before losing further weight.