Weight gain during IVF?

[Anonymous]

Anyone know of any studies documenting this phenomenon? I’ve got a friend who is adamant that weight gain is NOT a common side effect of the egg retrieval process (because she herself stayed 120 throughout the whole process. As she reminds us all ad nauseam ). She may well be right, but I thought otherwise. Is this just an urban legend or is there some proof that the exogenous hormones cause weight gain?

[Anonymous]

Eh I think it just the stress of the situation, ring told not to exercise, etc. I gained 20 over the 3 year process but I also ate my feelings and hardly exercised except walking. I think the meds make you bloated but it’s temporary weight.

[Anonymous]

Estrogen is definitely tied to metabolism. Plus, you're not supposed to do certain types of exercise during stimming and many REs want you to limit activities after transfer, too. Bloating is definitely a side effect, but that's not quite the same as what I think you're getting at. It's different for different people, but I certainly went in thinking that weight gain was possible. I did 8 rounds OE and 1 DE and gained 5-7 lbs by the time I got a BFP. It was over such a long period of time and I think more was stress/activity related than the drugs specifically.

[Anonymous]

I didn't get weight from IVF in the long term but I gained 8 pounds the day of the egg retrieval (ugh, I looked six months pregnant)
But that weight fell off the following month or so.

[Anonymous]

Omg, I got OHSS and had 4 liters of fluid drained from my abdomen so...nahhhh

[Anonymous]

This sounds like a potentially toxic friendship btw, as I think you’re aware.

[Anonymous]

I gained 5 pounds in one week on BC. I got super tired on Lupron and thus less active. I think I have gained 10 so far.
Your friend is clearly obsessed with sharing her weight, and weight shaming others for responding different to meds. I hope her metabolism stays strong through menopause or she may have some serious body issues in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a potentially toxic friendship btw, as I think you’re aware.

Yes, she’s got some insecurities that come out this way, I think. But overall she’s very kind. She’s just permanently messed up by a mom who was always on her about staying thin, and too many years as a teenager trying to pursue a career as a ballet dancer.

I really appreciate all of your replies.

[Anonymous]

I was taking a steroid during my IUI cycles and gained about 5 lbs at each cycle from my increased appetite -- but then the weight went away naturally during my rest cycles.