Losing weight for fertility

[Peonies94]

Have been ttc for over a year, I have a high bmi so know I won’t get help with fertility until it’s below 30! I lost weight last year and had a bmi just above normal range, however after a difficult year and a half, I’ve managed to gain so much weight! Im really disappointed with myself and have been eating healthily for a few weeks and slowly losing the weight! Im concerned my weight is affecting my fertility, or worse I think it’s my weight but may have issues regardless and then need to lose weight and go through the long process of fertility help!
Anyone else ttc and dieting who wants to join me?!

I won't join you, as I'm now pregnant!
Just want to share my story, as it might give you a bit of hope!

From 12.5 stone onwards, I had problems getting pregnant. Just wasn't happening. I wasn't getting help, until I went to a Dr, full facial hair, not shaved my tummy, explained all the symptoms of PCOS that I had shared over time, but weren't being tallied together as anything, Including hair loss from the front of my hairline, constant hunger, periods going awol, weight loss which was slow or non existent when actively trying to lose weight!

So they did check me for PCOS, yes I had it, but my weight was at that time 16 stone, and I was too heavy for help to get it under control or have help with conception.

We were referred to fertility specialists through DH having a low sperm count. The focus became on my PCOS, too heavy- won't help until she loses weight was the answer.

Over years I put on a lot more weight and a baby became a distinct not gonna happen situation.

I'd go on a diet, get disheartened and think I'm always gonna be fat, what's the point!

I had a gastric sleeve (still found it so hard to lose weight; even when being really good- my body just holds on!)

But I want to tell you that weightloss did help. I was promised when I got my BMI below 35 they'd put me on birth control, which I could stop for periods to get pregnant. A plan I thought!

BMI under 35, allow things to hopefully get better with my hormones whilst I concentrate on the last few stone.

I got my BMI to 34.6 but couldn't get to see a GP and unbeknownst to me, I was pregnant.

It's been a long road (14.5 years between my eldest and the one I'm carrying)

But please keep with it. The weightloss will help massively. It's the only change that really happened in my life.

The food I was eating was protein and veggies, tried to keep processed food out of my diet, except the 2 sugars I'd allow myself for coffee twice a day.

Wishing you all the best and a happy and healthy baby for you soon.

It feels like such a miracle when you finally get there.

@Girlmumdogmumboymum thank you so much for responding! I really appreciate it! My BMI is just below 35, but have been having going 90 days Without periods! I’m not even sure I’m ovulating!
I am dieting and losing weight, so that’s good to know! My only concern is I’ve had irregular periods my whole life, use to be long, going on for weeks, but now they’re almost non existent! Will continue and that’s definitely motivated me!!

@Girlmumdogmumboymum huge congratulations and well done on the weight loss too!!

Hi @Peonies94, please don't be put off by your BMI being just below 35 to go for fertility treatment. I was put on clomid due to PCOS with a BMI of 35.6. Even though they should all play by the same rule book, different trusts have different criteria's.

Wishing you luck and love throughout your TTC journey

@StepMumto1 did the clomid work? Ahh okay! Will definitely re refer myself and see what they say!!

It has made me ovulate but I haven't fell pregnant yet. I'm on my third round and currently around 4dpo so if this round is unsuccessful I have to be referred back to my consultant for the next step (not sure what that is yet). Definitely re-refer yourself, they will tell you what your BMI needs to be to meet their criteria- also good to get yourself referred now as waiting lists after COVID are quite long in some places x

@StepMumto1 thank you! I have been bbt and I think I’m definitely not ovulating! Especially with my long cycles and temps not indicating either! Will contact gp next week!

@Peonies94 you don't need a bleed to ovulate, you also can have regular cycles and not ovulate each month. I have learnt this throughout my journey but I have always had a period each month I guess I just don't ovulate on my own.
They will need to take a progesterone blood test on a certain day of your cycle to check for ovulation, I have got one booked in this weekend and I will be CD23 for a rough guideline.

Hope this helps x

I'm in a very similar situation @Peonies94. My BMI is currently 34, and I'm really struggling to get it down.

Currently in what looks like will be my longest cycle in a while. I'm on day 39 but no sign of ovulating yet, and no sign of period. My period usually comes 16 days after ovulation. So feel quite down that this cycle will be so long.

I'm scared I'm not ovulating because of my weight. But really struggling to lose weight. Can I ask if anyone has any good Weightloss tips for PCOS? Or foods that are good?

Would love to get my BMI below 30.

@StepMumto1 I was aware of not ovulating but having regular cycles, but wasn’t aware of having no periods but ovulating! I thought a period always come after ovulation. I don’t have any of the other signs anyways, so I definitely don’t think I am. They struggled with bloods for me as my cycles very so much do just done a random day which I’m sure doesn’t tell you much either! Thank you though! Such a difficult road isn’t it!!

@shrimpbarbie so hard! Simular bmi to me! I have exactly the same concerns! I’ve just tried to do a healthy diet! I’m trying to stick to 9000 calories a week so 1200 a day and then a few 100 extra as a treat one day! I’m currently a week in (I know not long but finally managed to stick to something after months of starting every Monday am and failing by lunch time!!

@shrimpbarbie yes my aim is to Get my bmi down to under 30 too! We can go this!

Hey everyone - late to the party but I'm in the same boat. We've been trying since November 2020, but nothing as of yet. I've got a pretty regular cycle (26-29 days) and I get positive ovulation tests every month I test (I know that doesn't always mean I am ovulating). I'm getting exasperated by it all. I'm scared to go to the doctors as I've had friends who have been sent away with no tests support etc to lose weight (ironically when they did get tests done it wasn't even her or her weight that was the issue it was sperm motility) and I'm heavier so there's no point.. but I'm currently a stone down, it's just hard to stay motivated when not falling pregnant is making me depressed AF lol xx