One of the most cutting-edge and popular fertility therapies infertility doctors offer in the market today is in-vitro fertilization (IVF). It has helped many people and couples achieve their goal of having children and gives hope to infertile couples. However, the IVF procedure has side effects, just like any other medical treatment. Anyone thinking about IVF needs to be aware of these side effects. Additionally, myths about IVF frequently cause people to feel terrified and confused. To better understand IVF and its possible adverse effects, it’s critical to distinguish between these misconceptions and facts.
In order to assist you in making an informed decision regarding your fertility journey, we will analyse the side effects of IVF treatment, debunk popular myths, and separate fact from fiction in this blog.
What is IVF?
It’s crucial to comprehend the IVF procedure before diving into the adverse effects. IVF is a complicated set of treatments for infertility. IVF specialists fertilise an egg outside of the body and place the resulting embryo inside the woman’s uterus.
Process
- Stimulation: To stimulate the ovaries to generate more eggs, fertility medicines are prescribed.
- Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, Infertility doctors gather them through a minor surgical procedure.
- Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm in a special laboratory.
- Embryo Transfer: Fertilized eggs/embryos are then transferred into the woman’s uterus.
IVF treatment is recommended when other reproductive treatments fail or when specific medical issues, including male infertility or blocked fallopian tubes, are present.
Some common side effects of IVF
The majority of the side effects associated with IVF are linked to the hormonal medicines that promote egg development. These drugs aid in the ovaries in the production of several eggs for retrieval, but they may also have some short-term side effects.
- Hot flashes – Hot flashes are a frequent symptom of fluctuating oestrogen levels during treatment, and many women report experiencing them.
- Mood swings – Depression, impatience, and mood swings can also result from hormonal changes. These feelings are frequently made worse by stress.
- Breast tenderness – Just like the sensitivity (Discomfort) women feel during their menstrual cycle, IVF can cause breast tenderness due to the hormonal medications used.
- Soreness – IVF treatment demands multiple hormone injections. These injections are usually administered in the abdomen or thigh. Sometimes, women experience soreness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
- Bloating – Bloating occurs because of the hormones used to stimulate egg production. It causes the ovaries to enlarge, leading to feelings of fullness or discomfort.
- Nausea – IVF medications can sometimes cause nausea. They are generally mild, and can be managed with proper care.
- Fatigue – Many IVF patients say they feel more exhausted than normal. The combination of the physical & emotional stress and hormonal medicines is probably the cause of the exhaustion.
The side effects from IVF treatment are common, but it’s important to remember that these are just small steps in the incredible process of growing your family.
Rare risks
While most side effects of IVF are temporary and manageable, there are a few risks that women should be aware of.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome – This happens when the ovaries respond excessively to the fertility hormones, causing them to swell and leak fluid into the abdomen. Symptoms of this syndrome are severe bloating, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and weight gain.
- Pelvic infection – Infections occur if bacteria enter the body during the egg collection process.
- Multiple births – Risks associated with multiple pregnancies include low birth weight, early delivery, and difficulties for the mother, such as high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.
Myths Vs Facts
There are many myths surrounding IVF treatments and its side effects. Distinguishing fact from fantasy is essential.
- IVF Leads to multiple pregnancies – The likelihood of conceiving twins or multiples can be increased if multiple embryos are transplanted. Nonetheless, many women still have successful single pregnancies. Nowadays, many centres use single embryo transfer (SET) to lower the risk of multiples.
- IVF causes long term health issues – While some believe IVF could lead to long-term health issues like cancer or infertility, research and experts do not support these claims.
- IVF is for women in their 40s – IVF is available to women across all age groups, depending on their fertility.
- IVF is always unsuccessful – Success rates vary based on several factors like age, health, and the fertility centre. Numerous couples achieve their dream of starting a family through this process.
- IVF is painful – While IVF involves some discomfort due to hormone injections and the egg retrieval process, it is generally not as painful as many people imagine.
- Is IVF 100% successful? The Success rates depend on various factors such as age, health, the cause of infertility, and the quality of the embryos. It is one of the effective treatments to experience the joy of parenthood.
A few tips to manage side effects
- Self-care on both a physical and emotional level is vital.
- Being active – Mild exercises can help alleviate bloating, fatigue and improve mood.
- Healthy food – Adequate nutrition can help your body cope with hormonal changes.
- Emotional support – The VF process can be physically and emotionally taxing. Support from family members, and friends are important.
- Expert advice – In case of concerns, always consult IVF specialists.
Even though IVF has some side effects, most of them are transient and controllable with the right support. The key is to stay informed, manage expectations, and take proactive steps to address any challenges along the way. We hope this article gives you clarity on the common side effects, myths, and facts involved with IVF procedure and infertility centers.
If you have more questions or are considering IVF treatment, feel free to reach out to Samartha Fertility and Fetal Centre, the best IVF center in Nagpur. We provide expert advice, treatment, and unconditional support.
