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WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

recommended weight loss support from Zava_Main Logo (1)

If your BMI is above the range we can treat, this is a supported way to reach a healthy weight before you begin.

Check your eligibility

Why weight matters for fertility treatment

Weight influences hormone balance, ovulation, and the way your body responds to fertility medication, so it has a real bearing on both your chances of treatment working and your safety during treatment and pregnancy. A BMI outside a healthy range can make treatment harder and raises the risk of complications, which is why we ask everyone providing eggs or having an embryo transfer to be within our range before we begin.

If you would like to understand the science in more detail, our consultant Dr Alison Richardson explains how weight affects fertility for both partners, including the finding that a loss of just 5 to 10 percent of body weight can make a meaningful difference to your chances.

Being told your BMI is above our range can feel disheartening, especially when you're ready to begin. It isn't a judgment, and it isn't the end of the road. Reaching a healthy weight genuinely optimises your chances, your safety through treatment, and your wellbeing during pregnancy. That's why we recommend weight loss support from ZAVA, a doctor-led route to discuss a range of weight management options, with clear guidance on when any medication should be safely stopped before you try to conceive.

Headshot of Victoria Sephton, Chief Medical Officer at Care Fertility.
Dr Victoria Sephton, Chief Medical Officer and GMC Responsible Officer

Medically supported weight loss with ZAVA

For some people, lifestyle changes alone are hard to sustain, or the amount of weight to lose makes a supported approach more realistic. We have partnered with ZAVA, a regulated online healthcare provider, to give our patients access to a clinician-led weight-management service.

ZAVA's doctors carry out their own assessment to decide whether a prescription weight-management treatment is appropriate for you, prescribe and supply it where it is, and provide ongoing clinical support.  Because this is a prescription service, ZAVA’s clinical team will review your health information and only prescribe if treatment is safe and suitable for you.

As a Care Fertility patient, you can check your eligibility online, and get an exclusive discount, if you choose to get started with ZAVA. 

How treatment can help you

If a treatment is right for you, here are the ways it can help. 
Feel fuller for longer - Zava
Feel full sooner and for longer
Some treatments ease your appetite and help you feel full sooner, so smaller portions are easier to keep to.
Food noise - Zava
Reduces cravings and food noise
Prescription weight loss medications can also calm the cravings and the food noise, giving you more say over when, and how much, you choose to eat.
Weight loss - Zava
Steady, sustainable progress
With the right treatment and doctor led support, weight loss can feel more achievable, especially if you’ve tried before.

Why we chose ZAVA

We only suggest a provider we trust to support our patients. Here’s what stood out about ZAVA. 
CF_Icons_Purple__Easy referral and hassle-free admin 4-2
Doctor-led from the start
UK-licensed doctors review every request before prescribing, and only go ahead when a treatment truly suits you.
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Trusted and regulated
Over 15 years of experience in online doctor care and regulated by the CQC, the same independent regulator that oversees GP services. 
CF_Icons_Purple__Safety-1
Support that continues
Nutritional guidance and free check-ins throughout, so you have support along the way.
CF_Icons_Purple__Easy referral and hassle-free admin 2-1
Planned around your care
ZAVA doctors will explain when medication may need to stop before you try to conceive or start fertility treatment.

How it works

Getting started is straightforward, with four simple steps from first questions to ongoing support. 
1
Complete a short health questionnaire and set up your ZAVA account.
2
A UK-licensed doctor checks your answers are safe and suitable for you.
3
If it is approved, your treatment is delivered, often the very next day.
4
Free check-ins and guidance support you throughout your weight-loss plan.

Our BMI range for treatment

We treat patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 19 and 35. For egg donors, the range is 19 to 30. If your BMI sits outside this range, we will not be able to start treatment straight away, but this is a starting point, not a full stop. You can check your BMI with our calculator, and our help centre explains what the BMI limit means for your treatment.   

Weight-loss medication and trying to conceive

This part matters, so we want to be clear about it. Weight-management medications of this type are generally not suitable while you are trying to conceive, and not to be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If a supported weight-loss plan is right for you, it is something to complete before treatment begins, with time to stop the medication beforehand as advised by the prescriber.

If you are prescribed a treatment through ZAVA, tell both ZAVA's doctors and our team that you are planning fertility treatment, so the timing works safely around your plans. Your Care Fertility consultant will confirm when you are ready to move forward.

 

Frequently asked questions

Can I have fertility treatment if my BMI is above 35? Not straight away. We treat patients with a BMI between 19 and 35, so if yours is higher we will ask you to reach a healthy weight first. There are supported ways to do this, including lifestyle changes and our weight-management partner, ZAVA.
Will my medical records be shared between Care Fertility and ZAVA? No. We do not pass any information between us, in either direction, and we do not track whether you have used the code. Your care with each of us stays private to that relationship.
What is ZAVA?

ZAVA is a regulated online healthcare provider that Care Fertility has partnered with to help patients explore a more supported way to lose weight. ZAVA offers doctor-led weight loss care online, with treatment only prescribed after their clinical team has checked it is safe and suitable for you.

With over 15 years of experience in online doctor care, ZAVA helps patients access safe, convenient care from home. ZAVA is regulated by the Care Quality Commission, the same independent regulator that oversees GP services in England, and has supported over 200,000 patients on their weight loss journey. 
How much is the discount? Care Fertility patients can use an exclusive discount code to save money when they get started with ZAVA, the discount is subject to ZAVA's discretion and their latest pricing - check their website to find out more by clicking here.
Can I take weight-loss medication while trying for a baby? No. These medications are not suitable while trying to conceive, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Any supported weight-loss plan should be completed and stopped before you start trying, following your prescriber's advice. Speak to your Care Fertility consultant about timing. 
Will losing weight really improve my chances? It can. Research suggests that losing 5 to 10 percent of body weight can make a meaningful difference to fertility and the chance of pregnancy. Our weight and fertility guide explains more. 
How do I get started with treatment once I am in range? Call our patient enquiry team, who will book your fertility tests. Your tests take place first, and then you have a consultation where your doctor reviews and explains the results with you.