Possible Adverse Effects of Medications Used During IVF
Injection site reactions: Injectable medications may cause redness, bruising and discomfort at or around the actual injection sites.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: Injection of gonadotropins stimulates follicles to develop within the ovaries. At times, stimulation may result in significant ovarian enlargement, pelvic discomfort, and leakage of fluid from the bloodstream and ovaries into the pelvic, abdominal and chest cavities. Such severe symptoms are rare; they occur in less than 1% of patients. When they do occur, however, patients are at risk of dehydration, blood clotting disorders, difficulty breathing and kidney dysfunction. Hospitalization may be required to provide intravenous hydration, blood thinning medications and supportive care until the symptoms resolve (usually within several days if pregnancy does not occur or a few weeks if pregnancy does occur).
Mild symptoms are far more common and include bloating and general discomfort. It is important to realize that while frequent blood tests and ultrasound examinations greatly reduce the risks of severe ovarian hyperstimulation, not all cases can be predicted or prevented. It is necessary at times to cancel an IVF cycle in order to prevent severe hyperstimulation.
Ovarian cancer: Studies on the risks of fertility medications on future ovarian cancer risk are conflicting. Most recent, well-designed studies have failed to show any increased ovarian cancer risk with fertility medications. However, further research is required to clearly define the actual risks of fertility medications to the ovaries.
