For too long, BMI—an outdated metric created nearly 200 years ago in 1830— it has been used as a gatekeeper to IVF access, disproportionately affecting women and failing to reflect true health and fertility. Across England, Integrated Care Boards continue to impose BMI restrictions that deny treatment to people with a BMI over 30, despite NICE guidelines never stating it as a strict exclusion.

This issue is especially harmful to those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)—a hormonal condition affecting 1 in 10 women—where weight regulation is biologically complex and BMI is often elevated. In fact, up to 88% of those with PCOS have a BMI over 25, yet many still experience regular cycles and are medically fit for pregnancy. Denying care based solely on weight not only fails to reflect true health but creates an emotional and ethical crisis for hopeful parents.

BMI does not consider muscle mass, bone density, ethnicity, age, or hormonal conditions. Research shows IVF outcomes are not solely dependent on BMI and that many patients with higher BMIs have successful pregnancies. Despite this, NHS-funded IVF clinics commonly enforce rigid BMI limits, pushing people into costly private treatment or extreme dieting, and creating a postcode lottery of care.

We call on NHS England, NICE, and the Department of Health and Social Care to reevaluate fertility access policies and remove BMI as a barrier.  To reevaluate and update IVF eligibility guidelines to include more accurate, compassionate, and science-based assessments.

The Women’s Health Strategy aims to eliminate non-clinical criteria—let’s make sure that includes the BMI bias that keeps so many from building a family.

Every person deserves a fair chance at building a family. Let’s end this discrimination and demand policy change that reflects modern science and inclusivity

Every body deserves compassion. Every person deserves a chance.

This is unfortunately a topic that is extremely important to me and many other women in a simar situation to myself.

My partner and I began our fertility treatment after trying naturally to no avail  and a cancer scare over the christmas period.

We were referred to the local Centre for Reproductive Medicine and to gain access went privately to see a fertility specialist. Without going privately our journey of trying to concieve wouldnt of even began until end of August due the the waiting list times.

I am a part of many online support groups which help me feel less alone, it can be a very isolating journey. 
Everyone around you appears to have an easy ride, I know this isn't the case but it appears that way when you going through it.

The hardest part is the not knowing if and when itll ever happen but the best things in life are worth waiting for right?

I currently have 4 cycles left of letrozole and IVF is our next step. 
Unfortunately my appointment was delivered very poorly and I felt shamed for my BMI and left the clinic in tears and without any healthcare professional support. This is not okay. 
I am making as much changes as I can do to fit their criteria. However my PCOS condition makes this very difficult.

Please help me make the change and help others with their journey to parenthood.