Easing worries about fertility drugs and weight gain
When preparing for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, our Park Avenue Fertility and Reproductive Medicine patients understandably have plenty of questions, and some might be about the possibility of a relationship between fertility drugs and weight gain. Our compassionate Connecticut fertility care team, led by sole physician Dr. Andrew Levi, can clear up misconceptions about conception. For those worried about significant weight gain and fertility treatment, there is reassuring research showing that fluctuations in weight for most women undergoing IVF are typically limited and short-lived.
Do fertility drugs make you gain weight?
It’s not uncommon for women to ask about fertility drugs and weight gain during and after ovarian stimulation. Many women are comforted to learn that studies have shown that weight gain is modest and temporary for most women undergoing IVF.
While weight gain is relatively minor and a short-lived shift for most, our Park Avenue Fertility team recognizes that each Connecticut fertility care patient is unique. Some women gain additional weight, while others may lose weight. But for most patients, weight shifts typically return to baseline within two weeks after egg retrieval.
Andrew Levi MD, our dedicated fertility expert, carefully considers individual differences when customizing fertility medication to stimulate the ovaries, and makes time-sensitive adjustments to avoid hyperstimulation. Our personalized Connecticut fertility care prioritizes educating patients about every step of fertility treatment, and can often ease concerns with facts about fertility drugs and weight gain.
- An increase in weight during or after IVF is often due to water retention, not lasting fat accumulation. Fatigue and feelings of being bloated can be side effects of ovarian stimulation, and our team will support you.
- Weight gain and fertility treatment can affect women differently, and in some cases, weight increase accompanies a necessary response to treatment. For example, research has shown that women who have a higher number of eggs retrieved may experience greater weight gain.
- Fertility medications are not typically categorized as weight-promoting medications. In fact, it is not standard practice for reproductive endocrinologists to track a woman’s weight status through the ovarian stimulation cycle.
Demystifying weight gain and fertility treatment
IVF treatment is complex, and every woman responds differently. So if you’ve been wondering, “Does IVF make me gain weight?,” talk to our Connecticut fertility care team. Our priority is to empower patients with knowledge and the reassurance that customized care guides each personalized treatment plan. Contact us to learn how we ease concerns about fertility drugs and weight gain.