Bariatric surgery may boost reproductive health for women living with obesity

Metabolic bariatric surgery can improve the reproductive health of women living with obesity, according to a study by the University of Surrey. Surgery significantly reduced the incidence of polycystic ovaries, which can affect fertility, the research indicated. By 24 months after surgery, only 10% of the women who had polycystic ovaries previously  still had them. Menstrual cycle frequency and regularity also improved post-surgery. Bariatric surgery is increasingly being performed on reproductive-age women, often to address obesity-related fertility issues. The study shows that the surgery “can improve the likelihood of [women] having a healthy pregnancy,” said Kathryn Hart, co-author of the study and associate professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Surrey.