The impact of weight loss for obese infertile women prior to in vitro fertilization: A retrospective cohort study

Obesity is detrimental to general health and also reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate whether weight reduction in obese infertile women prior to in vitro fertilization reduces the total gonadotropin dose and improves pregnancy outcomes. This retrospective cohort study was performed at the Jiaxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital between January 2017 and January 2022, and 197 women were enrolled. The women were divided into 2 groups according to the weight loss goal of 5%: weight reduction group A (≥weight loss goal of 5%) and control group A (<weight loss goal of 5%). According to the weight loss goal of 10%, we also divided the weight reduction B group (≥10% weight loss goal) and the control B group (<weight loss goal). Compared to the control A group, the weight reduction A group had a significantly lower total gonadotropin dose (P = .001); however, there was no significant difference in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. The weight reduction B group had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate than the control B group (P = .002), as well as a significantly higher live birth rate (P = .004). Weight loss (≥5%) lasting 3 to 6 months did not improve the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. However, weight loss (≥5%) can decrease the total gonadotropin dose in obese women scheduled for in vitro fertilization. Weight loss of up to 10% can significantly decrease the total gonadotropin dose, improve the clinical pregnancy rate, and increase the live birth rate.