IVF injections and their side effects

IVF in itself can be perplexing for couples who are trying to conceive. Fertility treatments can take an emotional toll on the couple’s mind and body. Couples, when thinking about IVF, think about the possible side effects that may come along with it. Fertility treatments are considered safe and performed with cutting-edge medical technology nowadays, they can still make couples feel anxious.

In this article, Let’s explore the various side effects of IVF injections in this article.

Fertility experts make sure that the fertility treatment offered has no side effects and that the whole treatment is as safe as possible. Below are some of the side effects that a patient might experience after IVF injections.

1. Bruising and soreness

During the ovulation period, doctors recommend some fertility injections to help stimulate the ovaries and to develop multiple quality eggs. These injections are given for at least 10-12 days to help induce and stimulate the ovaries. After the injections, the patient might experience some discomfort and pain, indicating IVF side effects. For this, it is recommended that the patient receives injections in some different sites of the body to avoid pain and soreness in the same position.

2. Nausea and vomiting

Every woman going through the treatment wonders and stresses about what would be the side effects of ivf injections. Not every woman goes through these IVF side effects but some may experience severe vomiting and weakness after IVF injections.

3. Bloating

Feeling bloated is a common sign and symptom a woman experiences around her menstrual cycle. The hormones in the body change, meaning the progesterone and estrogen levels in the body change, due to which the body starts to retain more water than salt. Due to water retention, the body becomes swollen, making one feel bloated. These same hormones are being used by the body to stimulate the development of eggs and are also present in the body in larger amounts during fertility treatment.

4. Breast Tenderness

Breast tenderness is also one of the common symptoms experienced even when the menstruation cycle is near or during the menstruation cycle. It is a side effect that many women may have experienced when on fertility medication.

5. Mood swings

Fertility or hormonal medication might cause frequent shifts in mood. Feeling restless, irritated or feeling extremely weak every time may be an indication or a signal of IVF side effects.

6. Hot Flashes

Some women have reported noticeable hot flashes around the face, neck and chest area. They tend to become extremely heated and start to sweat due to fertility medications. Once the flashes are eased out, the patient might start to feel chilly as the temperature of the body suddenly comes down.

7. Allergic reactions

Some women’s skin is very sensitive, and there are times when the body is not able to tolerate the intensity of the medication given during  the IVF cycle. They may feel itchy and redness on the injection sites.

8. Fatigue

Feeling tired and fatigued is one of the common side effects of IVF injections. This could be due to the change and shift in hormones caused by the fertility medication.

9. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS is a syndrome that may occur in women as a side effect due to the medication given to stimulate the development of eggs in the ovaries. It causes the ovaries to be sore, causes pain, make the abdominal area bloated, and causes nausea, and weight gain.

10. Swelling 

Most of the time, women notice redness and swelling around the area where IVF injections are given. In rare cases, some women experience blood blisters at the injection site.

Injections Given in IVF Cycle

Clomid

Clomid is a medication given for the treatment of infertility in women. Clomid medication is given to stimulate the number of hormones that support growth and help release eggs during ovulation.

Side effects & risks of Clomid

• Hot flashes
• Bloating
• Headache
• Vaginal dryness
• Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Breast tenderness 
• Abnormal spotting

Letrozole

Letrozole is a drug intended to treat breast cancer but the functioning of letrozole is similar to that of Clomid, which helps in blocking estrogen receptors.  There might be cases in which the women who are not responding well to Clomid may respond well to letrozole.

Side effects & risks of Letrozole

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Bloating/abdominal discomfort
• Hot flashes
• Breast pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Blurred vision
• Abnormal bleeding/spotting

Gonadotropins 

Gonadotropins is a fertility drug used for growth and sexual development. Injections are given when the menstruation cycle begins to help induce eggs in large amounts.

Side effects & risks

• Headaches
• Mood swings
• Bloating
• Acne
• Dizziness
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Soreness and redness
• Nausea

Lupron

Lupron is a medicine used to stimulate the ovaries. Gonadotropins contain follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone (LH). Decreased estrogen levels are responsible for side effects from Lupron.

Side effects & risks

• Headache
• Acne
• Stomach infection
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Weight gain
• Joint pain
• Dizziness
• Decreased sexual drive
• Soreness

Conclusion

The fertility complications may vary from one person to another. Thus, the expert may prescribe fertility drugs orally or through injections depending on the severity. Fertility drugs taken through injections have much more noticeable side effects compared to oral ones. If you are  worried about what are the major side effects of IVF injections or how their body would react to fertility injections, it is recommended to visit an IVF expert for clearing their doubts. Consult our fertility expert, Dr. Meenu Vashisht Ahuja for free to know more information.

FAQs:

1. Can IVF injections damage your body?

Every woman’s body is different, and how the IVF treatment will affect her body differs. Also, visiting the right clinic and undergoing the right diagnosis can help minimise the potential damage or side effects to the body.

2. How painful are IVF injections?

IVF injections do not cause much pain, the patient might feel slight discomfort or a stinging sensation. The needles injected are way too thin to cause any intense pain. 

3. Does IVF work the first time?

The chances of IVF working the first time are dicey as it depends on the diagnosis and treatment. 

4. How many days do you take IVF injections?

For the IVF cycle, the medication is given for at least 10-12 days to boost the follicles in the ovaries to help produce more eggs.