Professor Vinod Menon has co-authored a follow-up publication in Human Reproduction, one of the leading journals in reproductive medicine.
Published by Oxford University Press, Human Reproduction has a 2024 Impact Factor of 6.1 and is ranked 7th out of 141 journals in Obstetrics & Gynaecology by Impact Factor.
The study builds on the BAMBINI randomised controlled trial and was published in Human Reproduction, a leading Oxford University Press reproductive medicine journal with a 2024 Impact Factor of 6.1, a 5-Year Impact Factor of 6.2, and rankings of 7/141 in Obstetrics & Gynaecology and 4/43 in Reproductive Biology.
The paper, titled “Ovulatory Recovery following weight loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity: a post hoc analysis of the BAMBINI randomised controlled trial”, included 75 women who were followed up for 52 weeks. The analysis found that any degree of total weight loss was associated with a higher likelihood of ovulatory recovery, and no upper threshold of weight loss associated with reduced ovulatory recovery was identified.
This is an important finding for women with PCOS and obesity. PCOS is a common cause of ovulatory infertility, and obesity can make the hormonal and metabolic effects of PCOS more severe. The study reported that at 52 weeks, 50.8% of participants achieved ovulatory recovery, with recovery occurring in 19% of participants without weight loss and in more than 50% of those who lost weight.
The findings support the idea that weight loss can play an important role in improving reproductive function in appropriately selected women with PCOS and obesity. They also add further evidence to the wider BAMBINI research programme, which has already highlighted the potential role of bariatric surgery in improving ovulation and fertility-related outcomes.
For patients, the message is not that one treatment is right for everyone. Instead, it reinforces the importance of specialist assessment, careful planning and a multidisciplinary approach. Weight loss, medical treatment, fertility care and bariatric surgery all need to be considered in the context of each patient’s health, goals and timescale for pregnancy.
Professor Menon’s involvement in this publication reflects his continued contribution to high-quality research in obesity, metabolic health and reproductive outcomes. It also underlines the growing importance of treating obesity not only as a weight issue, but as a complex medical condition with significant effects on fertility and long-term health.
Full paper:
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/advance-article/doi/10.1093/humrep/deag037/8513300
