Side Effects of IVF

IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) works as a light of hope for infertile couples with no hope of conceiving naturally.  It is a procedure of insemination wherein an egg is blended with sperm outside the entire body.  IVF is useful for infertility cure as well as gestational surrogacy. There are few side effects of IVF treatment which will discuss in this article later. first let us known IVF process.

IVF process:

During IVF, mature eggs are collected (retrieved) from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then the fertilized egg (embryo) is implanted in your uterus. 1 cycle of IVF takes about two weeks.

Note – IVF may involve eggs, sperm or embryos from a known or anonymous donor.

The success rates of IVF increase every year, with new advancements and technology in the field, making it a preferred choice of treatment for infertile couples wanting to become parents. However, like most things, undergoing IVF comes with certain risks or Side Effects of IVF Treatment that must be overcome, to cross the finish line successfully.

‘A lot of what is most beautiful about the world arises from effort’

Side Effects of  IVF Treatment:

• Drug reaction – A mild reaction to fertility drugs may involve hot flushes, feeling down, headaches and restlessness
• Multiple births –  Having multiple births (twins, triplets or more ) is one of the biggest IVF risks, Women going through IVF treatment are administered medications that stimulate their ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This can lead to multiple births at times. However, many fertility clinics have found a way around this condition.
• Ectopic pregnancy – It can cause vaginal bleeding, pain and low pregnancy hormone levels
• Miscarriage –  Although the risk of a miscarriage after IVF is no higher than after natural conception, there is still a risk. Some patients going through IVF can have miscarriages due to some reasons. Generally, women above 35 years of age, not able to handle the emotional shock of infertility, or have some genetic disease, are some of the typical types of women to go through miscarriages with IVF.

Hormone tests and scans are used to detect ectopic pregnancies and you should tell your doctor about any vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. Related: All Frequently Asked Questions about IVF 

 Side Effects of IVF treatment on Body :

Dealing with infertility and undergoing infertility can hugely take a toll on your body and also mental health.IVF  treatment might leave you irritable, bloated and also emotionally drained. Although the process of IVF can affect your body negatively, it is all worth it to have the family you’ve been waiting for.

Some Side Effects of IVF Medicines:

1. Weight Gain

Due to an increase in hormones in the body, some women may put on weight. Still, this isn’t a cause for concern, as most of the weight is solely water weight, which can be reduced naturally. Some women may also put on fat.

Be prepared for this mentally, and you’ll own this “thing.”

2. Anxiety

Not knowing if their IVF treatment will be successful can make many people apprehensive. Besides, the wait between IVF cycles & time of fertilization is an anxiety-inducing time for all couples going through the process. The drug Side Effects of IVF Treatment can also cause anxiety for many women. Dealing with the psychological aspects of IVF may occasionally require professional assistance.

Keep living, it won’t always be this overwhelming!

3. Migraines and Headaches

Women going through IVF treatment experience repeated headaches & migraines during their procedure. For women who face headaches with PMSing or during their menstrual cycles, the headaches during IVF may be powerful than usual.

“No matter what the stage of illness we are in, there are adjustments we can make to increase joy in lives”.

4. OHSS (Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome)

Some women turn out to be sensitive to traditional IVF medications, which strains their ovaries and causes OHSS. Women who are at risk for OHSS are Endometriosis, PCOD, and Thyroid Patients, among others. Some symptoms of OHSS – vomiting, nausea, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, tenderness in the area of your ovaries, etc. Make sure to keep a lookout for these symptoms.

“Good health is not the absence of symptoms, it is the presence of peace”.

5. Hot Flashes

Due to the rapid changes in hormones, women face hot flashes, as their body’s defence mechanism tends to alert them to the altered hormone levels in their body. Few women also find themselves being sensitive to hot conditions.

“Always believe that something wonderful is going to happen”.

6. Mood Swings

IVF treatments require various drugs and hormones to be injected in your body, which can mess with your mood, causing frequent changes in mood. IVF emotional stress makes women feel gloomy. This can be especially felt by women who go through their first cycles of IVF. Although the mood changes are temporary, it is advisable to seek help or have a strong support group to help keep your emotions balanced.

“Time will pass, these moods will pass”.

7. Bloating

Bloating, though uncomfortable, is only a temporary occurrence during IVF treatment. Few women face acute bloating that adds inches to their waist, and in some instances the bloating is minimal. Some medications prescribed by the doctor can help reduce bloating and ease some of the discomforts.

“When your body is hungry it wants nutrients not calories”.

Most of the Side Effects of IVF Treatment are only temporary, and fade as women have successful cycles, or undergo more IVF cycles.

It is advised that women who aren’t able to handle the varying IVF emotional feelings seek some sort of support system or professional help, to reduce the mental stress they may face. After all, a healthy mind is conducive to a successful pregnancy.

Long term side effects of IVF

• Postpartum depression
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease

“In a small study, women who gave birth after IVF were 3 times more likely to develop a long-term form of heartburn called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, than women who conceived without help.”

   IVF Effects on baby

       IVF babies are as normal as other babies born through natural pregnancy. There is no clear evidence that IVF babies are more at risk from abnormalities than those born through natural conception.       

 Can you get Cancer from IVF?

The good news is that there is no risk of cancer from IVF. IVF  procedures are safe and effective.

How many times can you do IVF?

There aren’t any limits to the amount of IVF cycles you can have.  This decision is entirely up to you and your fertility experts. Most couples will need approximately six embryo transfers before they attain a pregnancy!

Is IVF life threatening?

No, IVF is safe, you don’t need to worry about the IVF treatment as IVF is a day-care procedure, there is no need to panic at all,  more than 3 million babies have been born using IVF since 1978.

Leading Center, IVF Spring delivers vital information to millions of people regarding IVF and other fertility treatment option. Our experienced doctors make sure to aware you about any risks associated with the treatment because your safety is our top priority! Ready to book a consultation?