Fertility treatments are effective in many cases and help to achieve pregnancy. But it is always better to know the possible complications to avoid medical emergencies or unwanted events.
Some mild side effects associated with fertility medicines include headache, bloating, stomach upset, breast tenderness, mood swings, and hot flashes. Apart from these, conceiving multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) are medically significant complications.
Minor complications associated with fertility treatment
Side effects associated complication of fertility treatment depend upon the type of medication prescribe to the patient. Usually, oral fertility drugs like Clomid or letrozole have milder side effects compared with injectable fertility drugs like gonadotropin agonists and antagonists. Apart from the type of medicine, dosage of the prescribed medicine and individual patient’s reactivity with prescribed medicine also alter the intensity of the side effects.
Medical complications do not always occur for every patient, as the physiology of every individual is different. Some patients take fertility treatment and do not experience any side effects, whereas others may experience mild to major complications. Doctors cannot predict initially how the patient's body has reacted with prescribed medication.
Major complications associated with fertility treatment
Many have reported fertility treatment-associated complications for the offspring like preterm birth and low birth weight etc. Moreover, women who are using fertility treatments also have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placental pathology, cesarean delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage.
Pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and cesarean delivery associated with fertility treatment occur due to multiple gestations. However, complications of placentation like placenta previa and placental abruption are usually occurred due to multiple gestations. Multiple gestations also increase the risk of labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage. Thus, fertility treatment mediated multiple gestations increase medical complications.
If the patient is experiencing major complications or unusual symptoms or is concerned for any reason, contact the doctor. But it is necessary to mention that knowing of possible side effects often creates anxiety in patients. The patient may increase the risk of experience certain side effects because of a panic attack. This condition is medically called the nocebo effect. It is always suggested to consult with your doctor regarding the side effect of the prescribed treatment. But if the patient has an anxiety issue, then her partner should know all the details and limited information needs to share with the patient to reduce the side effects and complications. Some patients may need a certain time to cope with the prescribed treatment and its side effect.
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6124622/