My FS was among the few at my clinic who would treat you regardless of your weight. When I made my first call there, they told me which FSs to get in touch with, and which to avoid because they wouldn't even SEE me if my BMI was over 35 . My BMI at that time was around 40 and my FS told me that because I'd fallen pg naturally previously while overweight, and my main fertility issue was blocked tubes, he didn't consider my weight a factor.
See, I like that. I'd rather they accessed you and decided if in fact your weight is a factor. If it is, then like any other treatment, you should be pointed in the right direction to assist you in improving your fertility.
Mind you, I didn't believe that weight was not a factor for me after several failed IVF cycles, so I went on a diet, lost 6kgs in a month, and had my first anovulatory cycle in the whole time I was being monitored. So I stopped dieting and went back to having regular cycles!
In my case, I'm glad a blanket ban on overweight women didn't apply.
I personally don't see what the harm is in trying you with clomid btw. I personally would be looking for another dr, while trying to lose weight at the same time.
Don't quote me but from my research I believe treating pcos with weight loss only is a very old fashioned approach. These days a good FS will take a holistic approach, including diet, possibly meds and including weight loss, which sometimes need only be modest to make a real difference. Best of luck, don't be discouraged!
My journey was fairly closee to sushees. I had previously fallen pg without AC assistance, so even though I am considered obsese (don't know my BMI) it was a non-issue. I did lose 15 kgs before commencing IVF and I believe it helped. My FS wanted me to lose at least 5% of my bodyweight, which I did.
I know when I was diagnosed with PCO my GP gave me a script for Metformin and told me to follow a low GI diet & exercise everyday. I didn't stick with the Metformin but I did with the diet & exercise. Apart from me losing weight, it gave me something else to focus on & also made me feel really good.
Please don't be discouraged, I know it can be a slap in the face. Perhaps consider a second opinion as well as trying to lose excess weight. Best of luck
When I went to a fs and he recommended clomid I had a bmi of 22. He still mentioned the fact I need to eat healthy, exercise and keep my weight down because it all contributes to helping your fertility. Did feel a bit strange being told to still monitor my weight when I was classed healthy but I think it's a standard suggestion they give. He even mentioned to me that pcos generally makes it hard to manage weight so it can be a catch 22, but everything counts.
He also said you only get the 6 cycles on clomid to make it work so it's best your body is as good as you can get it. I didn't end up taking the clomid and did it with natural therapies which I was lucky it worked.
Could you try for a month or two on a strict diet/exercise regime (if you're not already) and then see another gyno and try fOr clomid again?
As far as the hospital thing, I know in SA they have bought in that rule. No private hospital will take women over a certain bmi, and not even the wch! Only one up north and one down south!
Stay positive hun!!! We're all here to support you!
Last edited by little_O; July 26th, 2012 at 11:19 AM.
I have seen two different FS and my BMI has been over 35 the entire time and neither has ever said anything. My BMI was 38 for our successful IVF cycle. It is currently 36. However, I don't have PCO/PCOS and my cycles were exactly the same as they were before I gained weight (32 days and ovulating each cycle). Our difficulties in conceiving are due to my endo, not my weight.
That said, I do have friends who have had difficulty due to excess weight. Sometimes it just isn't possible to induce ovulation, no matter how much medication you use. As mentioned above, even a 10% reduction in weight can have a very positive effect on fertility. I've seen it happen. I have a friend who did weeks of FSH injections and simply didn't produce a mature follicle, so her FS told her to come back after she had lost some weight. She lost some weight (with medical assistance) and they conceived without ever going back to the Dr! Twice!
I have to agree with Sushee - excess weight should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Take the time to investigate the case and try some treatments before saying you can't help someone (rather than "won't" help them).
I know how hard it can be to lose weight. I struggle with it myself. It feels like you're trying everything and giving up so much and getting nowhere. Is it something you could work on in the background while pursuing treatments with a different FS? Could you see a dietician, personal trainer or someone else who will help you?
As far as BMI and pg, I went to a large private hospital in Brisbane and the only restriction I read was that they won't let you use the baths in the birthing suite if your BMI is 35 or higher. I know there are other places that will turn you away though. Funnily enough, I lost weight while pg with DD (thanks to 24/7 nausea and an aversion to sugar in the 1st trimester), so my BMI was (just) below 35 for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters.
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. My BMI at that time was around 40 and my FS told me that because I'd fallen pg naturally previously while overweight, and my main fertility issue was blocked tubes, he didn't consider my weight a factor.
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