Bariatric surgery may improve fertility

Obesity and infertility often go together. There are many health issues resulting from obesity that challenge the reproductive system. A new study shows bariatric surgery may treat the most common of those health issues, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects up to 10% of child-bearing aged women. One-third to one-half of those are overweight. These findings were presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS).

“Not many patients come to a bariatric surgeon to treat infertility problems,” said Mohammad Jamal, MD, FACS, study co-author and Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. “But this study suggests that women with morbid obesity, who are infertile secondary to PCOS, may have a new surgical option. Many other studies have shown bariatric surgery can improve or resolve a multitude of diseases and conditions. It appears that infertility now joins that list.”

In the study, 100% of the morbidly obese women who wanted children and had bariatric surgery were pregnant within three years of the operation.

“Significant weight loss also reduces the risk of pregnancy related complications, which is another important consideration,” added Dr. Jamal. “Though this is a small study, it has a big result and should be an area for more investigation and should be discussed with morbidly obese women who are having difficulty conceiving.”

Source: ASMBS, Medical News Today