Risks Associated With Conventional Treatments for Infertility
Conventional treatments for infertility in men and women, just like any other disease, can often involve a wide range of risks. Although there are many cases in which they have successfully helped couples to conceive, instances of failure are also not uncommon. Sometimes it can be a combination of both - a successful conception with one or more associated risks. Nowadays, many doctors are recommending their patients to opt for natural alternative male and female infertility treatment methods such as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. But still, desperate couples often go for the conventional hormonal therapies. Therefore, it is very important to comprehend the risks involved with them.
Drug Reactions:
Common fertility drugs are generally mild in nature and do not often cause severe reactions. The usual side-effects include fatigue, nausea, headaches, irritability and restlessness. However, the same side-effects can become severe and in that case, one should immediately consult their doctor.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome:
Most often involved with IVF, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) manifest due to overstimulation of the ovaries and leads to production of around 25 to 50 eggs in one cycle. This can cause several complications such as ovarian rupture and torsion. Symptoms generally include acute swelling of the stomach, rapid weight gain, stomach aches and short breaths.
Multiple Births:
Hormone treatments used for increasing the quantity of eggs produced can have the risk of causing multiple births. Although it may seem tempting for couples who have been struggling against infertility for quite some time, it can also have many associated complications such as preterm labour, miscarriage and low birth weight. Even twins can carry many different risks, so proper care should be exercised when progressing with a cycle that may cause multiple births.
Female Cancers:
Although the various studies conducted so far have produced contradictory results, some research inferences have found evidences of a connection between hormonal infertility treatments and future development of breast and ovarian cancer. Most theories that have been proposed based on this connection state that heavy dosages of the hormonal medications can trigger cancers associated with hormones.
Childhood Cancers:
Successful conceptions achieved through IVF can sometimes lead to childhood cancers in the newborn babies due to the medicinal drugs used during the cycle. However, no strong evidence has been found in support of this theory so far. But still, being aware of such possibilities and watching out for potential problems in the future is never a bad idea.
Drug Reactions:
Common fertility drugs are generally mild in nature and do not often cause severe reactions. The usual side-effects include fatigue, nausea, headaches, irritability and restlessness. However, the same side-effects can become severe and in that case, one should immediately consult their doctor.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome:
Most often involved with IVF, Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) manifest due to overstimulation of the ovaries and leads to production of around 25 to 50 eggs in one cycle. This can cause several complications such as ovarian rupture and torsion. Symptoms generally include acute swelling of the stomach, rapid weight gain, stomach aches and short breaths.
Multiple Births:
Hormone treatments used for increasing the quantity of eggs produced can have the risk of causing multiple births. Although it may seem tempting for couples who have been struggling against infertility for quite some time, it can also have many associated complications such as preterm labour, miscarriage and low birth weight. Even twins can carry many different risks, so proper care should be exercised when progressing with a cycle that may cause multiple births.
Female Cancers:
Although the various studies conducted so far have produced contradictory results, some research inferences have found evidences of a connection between hormonal infertility treatments and future development of breast and ovarian cancer. Most theories that have been proposed based on this connection state that heavy dosages of the hormonal medications can trigger cancers associated with hormones.
Childhood Cancers:
Successful conceptions achieved through IVF can sometimes lead to childhood cancers in the newborn babies due to the medicinal drugs used during the cycle. However, no strong evidence has been found in support of this theory so far. But still, being aware of such possibilities and watching out for potential problems in the future is never a bad idea.
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