Your diet can affect IVF outcomes
A total of 12% of all infertility cases are due to weighing too little or too much.a
One of the easiest ways to determine if you are underweight or overweight is to calculate your body mass index (BMI). You can use this BMI calculator from the National Institutes of Health website to determine your BMI.
Underweight
Normal
Overweight
Obese
Weight can affect fertility in many ways:
- Underweight women may be affected by irregular menstrual cycles or stop ovulating completely
- Obese women
- May also have irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation
- With normal ovulation cycles still have lower pregnancy rates than normal-weight women
- Have lower success rates with IVF than normal-weight women
- Have shown lower pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates
- Are at an increased risk of developing pregnancy-induced (gestational) diabetes and high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
- Have a higher chance of delivering by cesarean section
- Have children with an increased risk of some birth defects and high birth weight
If you are considered underweight or obese, consult with a healthcare provider.
- Underweight women may be affected by irregular menstrual cycles or stop ovulating completely
- Obese women
- May also have irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation
- With normal ovulation cycles still have lower pregnancy rates than normal-weight women
- Have lower success rates with IVF than normal-weight women
- Have shown lower pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates
- Are at an increased risk of developing pregnancy-induced (gestational) diabetes and high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
- Have a higher chance of delivering by cesarean section
- Have children with an increased risk of some birth defects and high birth weight
If you are considered underweight or obese, consult with a healthcare provider.
A healthy diet to support fertility
Eating the right foods is essential to optimizing reproductive potential. A balanced diet is rich in quality protein and low in sugar, salt, caffeine, and trans fats (trans-fatty acids or partially hydrogenated oils); uncontaminated by heavy metals; and free of nicotine, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
It is also recommended to eat foods high in monounsaturated fat, as they are associated with higher odds of live birth.
Always be sure to follow your doctor’s advice first and to consult with him or her before making changes to your diet.
Eating the right foods is essential to optimizing reproductive potential. A balanced diet is rich in quality protein and low in sugar, salt, caffeine, and trans fats (trans-fatty acids or partially hydrogenated oils); uncontaminated by heavy metals; and free of nicotine, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
It is also recommended to eat foods high in monounsaturated fat, as they are associated with higher odds of live birth.
Always be sure to follow your doctor’s advice first and to consult with him or her before making changes to your diet.
