Infertility affects 10-15% of couples of reproductive age. Of the infertile couples, however, only 45% seek specialist advice and treatment.

The main reason is lack of information and the fear that infertility treatment and especially IVF is associated with a high rate of side effects and complications. However, the delay in early diagnosis and the correct intervention results in couples being delayed and arriving at an older age with reduced chances of success.

Are there side effects from the pharmaceutical preparations?

During treatment, gonadotropins are mainly administered with the aim of stimulating the ovaries to produce more eggs. The drugs are administered for a period of 10-14 days with subcutaneous injections in pen form, which are practical and easy to use. Locally at the injection site, itching and, more rarely, a mild local allergic reaction may occur. In systemic reactions, the patient may report a feeling of fatigue and mild swelling of the breasts and abdomen. The most serious complication of medication is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which occurs in less than 1% of cases and is attributed to stimulation of a large number of follicles and a large increase in estrogen.

Symptoms of nausea, swelling and mild abdominal pain usually occur and subside after taking the eggs. Severe abdominal pain and collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity or shortness of breath rarely occur. This complication is now rare as modern expertise allows proper assessment of cases with an increased potential for hyperexcitability. In such cases treatment protocols can be modified such as milder protocols with administration of fewer drugs, postponement of implantation and freezing of embryos to minimize the risk of hyperstimulation. Also, collecting eggs only from natural cycles is another option in some cases.

Is there a correlation between IVF drugs and cancers of the female reproductive system?

Now all modern studies do not find any such correlation, and furthermore, women who go to specialized centers are more informed and undergo all preventive checks such as mammography. During ovulation the doctor, using vaginal ultrasound for guidance, uses a special thin and long needle to aspirate the fluid from the mature follicles and collect the eggs. The procedure may result in mild pain for 2-3 days that subsides with mild pain medication. The possibility of severe bleeding and inflammation in the area is rare. Prophylactic antibiotics are administered during the procedure.

Is there an increased risk of fetal abnormalities?

The risk of abnormalities in newborns is 2-3% in the general population. This risk is slightly increased in infertile couples who have children. But the main reason for this increase is the older age of women and the underlying reason for infertility. Mainly in couples where a serious sperm problem (severe oligoasthenospermia) is responsible for the infertility, this has been associated with an increased chance of fetal abnormalities.

Is there a risk of miscarriage & ectopic pregnancy?

The risk of miscarriage is about 15% in women aged 20-30 and over 50% in women over 40. There is no increased risk in women undergoing IVF, while the risk of ectopic pregnancy (1%) remains the same as in natural conception.

in conclusion

In vitro fertilization is a safe and documented treatment, which in specialized centers completes a lifelong dream for infertile couples. The medical specialist as a companion in their endeavor will diagnose, help, reassure but above all apply the most modern knowledge and treatment in all stages of assisted reproduction, so that informed infertile couples can safely become happy parents