Possible risks and side effects of IVF
IVF, or in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, is an assisted reproductive technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally achieve their reproductive aspirations. However, IVF is not completely free of side effects and risks. Next, we will elaborate on the problems that IVF may face from four aspects.
1. Physiological risk: multiple pregnancy and premature delivery
A major complication of IVF is multiple pregnancy. In order to improve the success rate, doctors usually transfer multiple embryos at the same time in a cycle. This increases the risk of multiple pregnancies, which will lead to a higher incidence of complications and adverse outcomes for infants. Multiple pregnancy also poses a threat to maternal health.
In addition, the risk of premature birth in IVF is higher than that in normal pregnancy. Premature birth may lead to a series of problems such as dyspnea, intestinal dysplasia, and even life-threatening.
Therefore, when using IVF technology, doctors need to determine the number of embryos to be transferred by assessing the patient's condition and risk, so as to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy and premature delivery.
2. Psychological pressure and emotional changes
The IVF treatment process has caused tremendous psychological pressure on couples. On the one hand, they have to face unknown success rates and possible failures. On the other hand, hormone therapy and surgical operation during the treatment process will bring physical discomfort and emotional fluctuations.
Couples often experience anxiety, tension, disappointment and despair. This long-term psychological pressure may have a negative impact on their mental health, and even lead to psychological disorders such as depression.
Therefore, in the process of IVF treatment, couples need the support and help of doctors and psychological consultants to reduce psychological pressure and emotional changes.
3. Complications and surgical risks
There are some complications and surgical risks in IVF treatment. Ovary and uterus may be damaged by ovum retrieval surgery, resulting in complications such as bleeding, infection and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
In addition, embryo transfer surgery also has certain risks. Possible complications include infection, uterine perforation and failure of blastocyst implantation.
Although the probability of these complications and risks under modern medical conditions is very low, patients still need to make preoperative preparations and postoperative precautions under the guidance of doctors to ensure safety and success.
4. Risk of genetic diseases
The embryos used in IVF may come from couples or donors with genetic diseases. If a couple or donor carries the gene of a genetic disease, IVF may inherit this disease.
Although embryo genetic testing (PGD) can be carried out in IVF technology to screen embryos with genetic diseases in order to select healthy embryo transfer, this test is not 100% accurate, nor can it cover all genetic diseases.
Therefore, couples need to receive genetic counseling and genetic testing before IVF, so as to fully understand the risk of genetic diseases they carry.
Summary:
Although IVF technology has helped many couples achieve their reproductive aspirations, it also has some risks and side effects. Physiological risks include multiple pregnancy and preterm birth, psychological risks include psychological pressure and emotional changes, surgical risks include complications and surgical risks, and genetic disease risks include genetic diseases of children that may be inherited by couples or donors. Couples should fully understand these risks before IVF, and make decisions under the guidance of doctors and psychological consultants.
