Does IVF Make You Gain Weight? Causes, Myths & What to Expect During Treatment

Women undergoing IVF have many concerns, one of which is “Does IVF make you gain weight”? It’s natural to wonder whether the treatment itself causes a long-lasting change in your body fat or weight. IVF may cause temporary weight fluctuations. 

It’s primarily because of the ovarian induction drugs for egg development and maturation. The reassuring fact is that IVF itself isn’t linked to a permanent increase in body fat or your weight. Temporary weight gain during IVF is quite common. So, if you notice a higher-than-expected reading on the weighing scale, it doesn’t mean you have gained fat. 

In this post, we’ll take a detailed look at the relationship between IVF and your weight.

Key Takeaways

• IVF weight gain is a common concern among people undergoing IVF 
• IVF doesn’t automatically increase body fat or make you gain weight
• However, certain medications, particularly the ones administered during the stimulation phase, can make you gain a few pounds
• The effect is temporary 

Does IVF Really Cause Weight Gain?

Let’s understand what weight means in this context. 

Fat gain happens when you consume more calories than your body uses. So, this energy is stored as fat, which can eventually contribute to weight gain. 

Sometimes, what women experience during an IVF cycle and confuse with weight gain is bloating. Your stomach may feel swollen, hard, and uncomfortable even when you haven’t actually gained body weight. 

Ovarian enlargement, constipation, water retention, reduced physical activity, higher calorie consumption, and other factors can all contribute to a temporary weight gain during IVF.

Why Do Some Women Gain Weight During IVF?

Let’s explore the reasons you might gain a few extra kilos.

Hormonal Medication

From the first step till a pregnancy is established, you will continue to take hormonal medication. The type and dose of medicines administered to IVF patients can vary, depending on individual cases. But most include Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) and gonadotropins. 

These are used to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles instead of a single dormant follicle. Finally, an hCG shot is prescribed once the follicles are developed. This encourages the eggs to achieve the final step of maturation, preparing them for retrieval. 

After embryo transfer, you will be on progesterone support, a hormonal treatment that makes your uterine lining receptive to the embryo. Now, the medication does not directly add to your weight, but they are associated with side effects, such as bloating, breast tenderness, and changes in your bowel habits. 

The symptoms you experience after receiving hormonal treatment can mimic weight gain, when you may haven’t gained a single pound. Besides, your response to these medicines may differ from another woman undergoing IVF or getting the same shots.

Water Retention

This is different from body fat. Hormonal changes in your body can make you hold on to excess fluid, which would normally leave your body through urine and other processes. 

Classic symptoms of weight changes due to water retention are your clothes, rings, or shoes feeling tighter than usual, or visible swelling in the abdomen. In severe cases, such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS), fluid might leak from the blood vessels and collect into the abdominal cavity and other areas. 

Ovarian Enlargement

Your ovaries work harder during the stimulation phase than they do in a normal menstrual cycle. The induction drugs trigger multiple follicles to develop. This change in follicular development can temporarily enlarge your ovaries. As a result, you may experience abdominal fullness, bloating, and clothes feeling tighter, especially around the belly.

Low Activity Levels

Walking and performing regular household chores may not be restricted during IVF, but heavy-lifting and high-intensity workouts are usually avoided during stimulation and afterward. 

For someone who’d regularly go to the gym or lift heavy weights, this sudden change in activity levels can cause weight changes. That’s mainly because you burn fewer calories than before. Weight gain can be more prominent if you are an emotional eater or munch on snacks frequently.

Emotional Stress

Stress is indirectly connected to slow weight gain during pregnancy. In IVF, particularly, women tend to feel stressed about stimulation, retrieval, transfer, and essentially, the two-week wait period after embryo transfer. It doesn’t stop at that. 

Even when a pregnancy is established, they start worrying about ultrasound scans, blood tests, and nearly everything. This goes on until delivery. So, if you have been gaining weight slowly throughout the term of your pregnancy, it could be because of stress-related eating, differences in activity levels, or poor sleep rather than the fertility medication.

Is Weight Gain During IVF Permanent?

No, IVF-related weight gain, which occurs because of fluid retention, ovarian stimulation, or hormonal changes, is temporary. Once your hormones stabilize, your ovaries return to their normal size after stimulation, and your body starts releasing the fluid normally, you may lose weight. 

However, you must understand the difference between IVF-related and lifestyle-related weight gain. As mentioned above, weight gained from eating calorie-dense foods, less physical activity, or stress-related eating can all contribute to weight gain, which has nothing to do with IVF protocols.

Besides, pregnancy itself can cause weight gain. Once pregnancy is confirmed, you may naturally gain weight in the following months. This is not the same as IVF-related temporary weight gain.

How Much Weight Can You Gain During IVF?

A study found that people undergoing IVF had an average weight gain of 1.5 pounds after stimulation. However, it wasn’t the same for all. Some gained as much as 15 pounds before egg retrieval, while others lost up to 5 pounds. Those starting IVF with a lower BMI, as well as women who had more eggs retrieved, tend to gain more weight during IVF than others. Additionally, weight gain was significant in women who suffered from OHSS. 

The question remains: how much weight gain should I expect? There isn’t a specific number that applies here. Each body reacts differently to the stimulation medicines and hormonal treatments after embryo transfer. Some do not gain weight at all, while others may see a significant difference in their weight after treatment begins. What’s important is that you watch the weight gain pattern. How rapidly you are gaining weight matters more than how much you have gained. 

Let’s look at what’s normal and what may require medical attention.

When Should Weight Gain During IVF Be a Concern?

Your gynecologist may not worry about every weight gain. However, if you gain a considerable amount of weight in a very short period, typically within the stimulation phase, it may raise concerns. 

If you have severe abdominal swelling accompanied by nausea and vomiting, unusually enlarged ovaries, and breathing difficulties, it can be OHSS — a condition in which the ovaries swell and leak fluid into your abdomen. 

Here are the signs that require immediate medical attention:

• Rapid weight gain
• Severe abdominal swelling
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• Reduced urine output

Can IVF Medications Cause Bloating?

Yes, IVF medications, especially gonadotropins, are linked to bloating. This is a common reaction to enlarged ovaries, which may consist of several follicles that keep getting bigger every day. Progesterone can also cause bloating. Bloating itself isn’t concerning. What matters more is whether it’s mild and manageable or occurs alongside other symptoms.

How to Manage Weight During IVF

Managing weight shouldn’t be your main goal when you are going through IVF. It’s a carefully controlled and planned procedure. Crash diets or high-intensity exercises, at this stage, are not recommended. Here’s what you must do instead.

• Follow a Healthy Diet: Stick to a healthy eating and exercise routine. Choose what goes on your plate carefully. For example, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, iron, and healthy fats are some vital nutrients you need during IVF. 
• Hydrate Well: Drink adequate fluids unless your fertility expert suggests otherwise. Hydration helps relieve constipation and bloating. 
• Minimal Activity: Gentle walking can help keep you active, but if your gynecologist advises you to avoid walking too much or to restrict most routine movements, follow their instructions. Avoid strenuous activities, gymming, heavy-lifting, sports, and any activity that puts excessive strain on your abdomen, especially once the stimulation begins. 

Foods That May Help Reduce IVF Bloating

IVF-related bloating will automatically go away once your hormone levels return to normal. While no food can directly manage bloating, certain choices can improve digestion and support overall health. 

Here’s what you can include in your existing diet to make it more nutritious and good for your digestive health:

• Fish, chicken, legumes, and other sources of lean proteins
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Brown rice, oats, and other whole grains
• Nuts, seeds, avocados, and other sources of healthy fats

It’s best to avoid highly processed or salted foods, especially if you feel bloated afterward. Dietary choices may or may not help you with bloating, but they are an effective way to feel healthy and prepare your body for pregnancy. That said, you shouldn’t use diet as a treatment option for controlling bloating, particularly if you suspect OHSS. 

Does Weight Affect IVF Success?

Yes, weight affects the success rate of IVF, but it’s not the only factor that can affect your chances of conceiving through assisted reproductive procedures. Your doctor may look at many other factors, such as your age, ovarian reserve, egg quality, how your ovaries respond to treatment, menstrual history, and existing medical conditions before giving you an estimated success rate.

Both being overweight or underweight can negatively affect your IVF success. Obesity influences your ovarian response to stimulation. It’s also linked to hormonal imbalance, fewer eggs retrieved, low implantation rate, and low chance of live birth. 

Higher body weight is also associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Likewise, being underweight carries an increased risk of pregnancy complications because of nutritional deficiencies.

However, the effect of weight on IVF’s success may differ for women. 

Common Myths About IVF and Weight Gain

Myth 1: IVF results in obesity

Fact: No, IVF doesn’t have anything to do with your weight. Temporary changes in weight can be from fluid retention or ovarian enlargement, but there’s no reason why IVF can cause long-term weight gain.

Myth 2: Weight gain during IVF is a healthy sign

Fact: It’s not. Weight gain can be due to lifestyle factors or temporary IVF-related fluid retention or hormonal shifts. Either way, changes in your weight don’t mean you are more likely to conceive after embryo transfer. On the other hand, weight gain isn’t a bad sign either. However, rapid weight gain requires immediate medical attention.

Myth 3: You can’t do anything about your weight during IVF

Fact: While it’s not advisable to follow crash diets or eat little, managing your health and weight is possible during IVF. Mindful eating, portion control, and right food choices can all help you manage weight.

FAQs

How much weight do women gain during IVF?

There is no standard weight you need to achieve during IVF. 

Is IVF bloating normal?

Yes, your ovaries may become slightly enlarged with multiple follicles growing inside them, causing bloating.

Can progesterone cause weight gain?

No, progesterone cannot cause weight gain.

Does egg retrieval increase weight?

No, egg retrieval doesn’t cause weight gain, but you may continue to experience mild bloating and abdominal fullness from earlier steps.

How long does IVF bloating last?

It generally improves once the stimulation ends and eggs are retrieved, but bloating can persist a little longer. Severe, worsening, or persistent abdominal swelling must be reported to a fertility expert.

Can I exercise during IVF?

Talk to your fertility doctor before starting exercises during IVF. The procedure is sensitive, so it’s usually advisable to keep your activities light.

Does IVF increase belly fat?

IVF itself may not increase belly fat, but your belly may look bloated from fluid changes and ovarian enlargement.

Can IVF hormones affect metabolism?

IVF can temporarily affect metabolism, but it doesn’t cause permanent changes. 

Will I lose weight after IVF?

If you gained weight due to IVF-related factors, you will lose it after IVF is over. However, fat gain due to lifestyle changes requires lifestyle changes.

Is weight gain a sign of pregnancy after IVF?

No, it isn’t a sign of pregnancy.

Can IVF cause fluid retention?

Yes, fluid retention can occur because of hormonal changes, but severe fluid retention that causes extreme abdominal swelling can be a sign of OHSS.

Final Thoughts

It’s natural to be concerned about IVF-related weight gain. There are also misconceptions around how fertility medicines can cause permanent weight gain. These are purely myths. IVF can only temporarily show a higher weight on the weighing scale, but that’s mainly because of fluid retention, ovarian enlargement, and hormonal shifts. 

If you are currently undergoing IVF treatment in Pakistan, your fertility expert will explain how certain medications can cause bloating, which is often mistaken for weight gain. They may also tell you when you should seek medical care.