What risks and side effects might IVF cause?
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which helps couples who are difficult to conceive naturally to achieve their reproductive aspirations through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. However, IVF also has some risks and side effects that deserve our attention. The following will be elaborated from four aspects.
1. Physiological risks and side effects
IVF surgery may stimulate women's ovaries several times to obtain enough eggs. This may lead to physiological discomfort, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS may cause abdominal distention, vomiting, chest pain and other symptoms, and in serious cases, it may lead to ovarian torsion, ascites, thrombosis and other complications.
In addition, IVF surgery requires some risky procedures, such as ovarian superovulation, egg collection and embryo transfer. These operations may cause risks such as endometritis, bleeding, infection and ectopic pregnancy.
Finally, after the success of IVF, women may face the risk of multiple pregnancy. Because multiple fetuses will increase the risk of complications for pregnant women and fetuses, such as premature delivery, placental insufficiency, and low birth weight.
2. Mental and psychological impact
The process of IVF surgery may have an impact on the mental and psychological health of couples. Infertility itself has become a heavy psychological burden, and IVF surgery may increase the anxiety and pressure of couples. The success rate of the operation and the waiting time may make couples feel depressed and disappointed, and even lead to emotional fluctuations and depression and other psychological problems.
In addition, IVF surgery may also cause family relationship problems between couples. Due to the high cost of surgery and the uncertain success rate, couples may be under great financial and emotional pressure. This may increase the risk of family disputes and marital breakdown.
3. Risk of genital tract infection and bacterial/viral transmission
IVF surgery needs to be completed through in vitro egg retrieval and embryo transfer, which is in direct contact with reproductive organs, and there is a risk of infection. If the operation process is not strictly sterile or the medical equipment is contaminated, it may cause genital tract infection, such as vaginitis, cervicitis, etc. In addition, if the person or semen provider has infectious diseases, such as AIDS, hepatitis B, etc., it may be transmitted to the recipient through IVF surgery.
4. Genetic risk
Although IVF can help couples avoid transmission of some genetic diseases, it also brings some important genetic risks. First, IVF surgery usually requires selecting the best embryo transfer from multiple embryos, which may mean abandoning some embryos. At the same time, the risk of some genetic diseases may not be excluded in the selection process. Secondly, due to the uncertainty of egg quality and embryonic development, IVF may have some risks of genetic defects, such as chromosome abnormalities and gene mutations.
summary
Although IVF provides hope for couples who cannot conceive naturally, we cannot ignore the risks and side effects. Physiological risks and side effects may include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, surgical complications, and the risk of multiple pregnancy. Psychologically and psychologically, IVF may increase the anxiety and stress of couples, and even affect family relations. The risks of reproductive tract infection and bacterial/viral transmission, as well as genetic risks, also need attention. Therefore, before deciding to perform IVF surgery, couples should fully understand all risks and side effects, and make decisions under the guidance of doctors.
