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Weight loss 'carries risks' for women undergoing fertility treatment Article date: 2010-02-04 16:28:21

Women who are obese and trying to conceive have been advised to take care of their weight before undergoing infertility treatment.

A new report from Penn State University College of Medicine has warned that rapid weight loss could harm rather than improve an obese woman's chances of falling pregnant.

Lead researcher Professor Richard Legro, warned that weight loss puts stress on the reproductive system, which could lead to complications.

Statistically, obese women have a lower chance of conceiving a child; this chance decreases further as women age.

But both women who conceive naturally and those who conceive with assistance could adversely affect their chances if they undergo dramatic weight loss.

Professor Legro advised that women should not attempt dramatic weight loss while undergoing fertility treatment.

For every one unit of Body Mass Index over 29 will decrease an overweight woman's chances of conceiving by four per cent, according to the report.

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