IVF medications are an essential part of the fertility process, but they can come with side effects.
If you are considering IVF as a way to grow your family, knowing the IVF medications used and their side effects can help you be better prepared to manage any symptoms.
Contact us online to get connected to reputable fertility clinics that handle this part of the journey and can break down all of the potential side effects to be aware of.
This article will look at the side effects, from common to more serious, and how you can address them.
IVF Medications Used and Their Side Effects
There are a number of medications used at various stages of the IVF process.
Some of the most common IVF medications used include gonadotropins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and progesterone.
Gonadotropins
Gonadotropins are synthetic versions of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). They stimulate the ovaries, an essential part of egg retrieval that leads to them producing multiple follicles and eggs during an IVF cycle.
Some common gonadotropin medications are Gonal-f (FSH), Follistim (FSH) and Menopur (FSH, LH), with all three being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2004.
The common side effects of these IVF medications include:
Blood blisters at the injection site Swelling at the injection site Possible ovarian hyper stimulation Very rarely multiple births Ectopic pregnancies
GnRH
GnRH agonists are synthetic forms of GnRH, these medications stimulate the pituitary gland to release any stored gonadotropins before stopping the production of any new gonadotropins.
Common forms of GnRH agonists are:
- Lupron
- Synarel
- Suprecur
- Zoladex
FDA approval of any medication is important but talk to your fertility specialist about any questions you have. Lupron, for example, is not FDA-approved but has been widely used in ART for the past 20 years.
GnRH antagonists are also synthetic IVF medications, a form of GnRH that stops premature ovulation. Examples of common GnRH antagonists include:
- Antagon
- Ganirelix
- Orgalutran
- Cetrotide
GnRH agonists result in more high-quality, viable eggs while antagonists prevent premature ovulation. The side effects from these IVF medications can include:
Hot flashes Changes in breast size Vaginal dryness Headaches Insomnia Mood swings Depression
Progesterone
Progesterone helps prepare the uterine lining for implantation. It's another non-FDA-approved medication that is commonly used in IVF. Normally, this hormone is produced naturally by the ovaries in the middle of a menstrual cycle during ovulation.
It can be administered via injection or supplement and has side effects such as:
- Hot flashes
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Vaginal discharge
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Mood swings
To learn more about the many IVF medications and their side effects, its best to talk to the professionals themselves. Contact us to get in touch with fertility clinics near you that can get you that much closer to parenthood.
Severe Side Effects from IVF Medications
Utilizing IVF if it’s right for your situation opens the door for you to be able to experience parenthood. If it could be right for you, be aware of the risks that come when taking any medications.
In addition to the common side effects that come with IVF medications, here are some potential serious side effects to be aware of:
OHSS is the body’s response to excess hormones. It causes the ovaries to swell and become painful and while typically mild, severe symptoms may require hospitalization. Multiple pregnancies are more likely to occur as a result of IVF and increase the chance of preterm labor or delivery. This can result in health issues for the baby as well as the birth mother. An ectopic pregnancy means the embryo has implanted but not in the uterine lining. Ectopic pregnancies only happen as a result of IVF 2-5% of the time but it requires medication to end the pregnancy or surgery to remove it. Possible symptoms include sharp, stabbing pain, vaginal spotting or bleeding, low back pain, low blood pressure and dizziness or fainting. Egg retrieval can result in bleeding, infection and or damage to the bowel, bladder or blood vessel. This comes from the needle used to retrieve the eggs and although mild bleeding or spotting is normal, excessive or long term bleeding is cause to contact your doctor. Severe cases can even require hospitalization. Allergic reactions to IVF usually revolve around the site of the injection for any necessary medications. Itchiness and redness are common symptoms but still should result in a discussion with your doctor for how to proceed.
Managing Common Side Effects from IVF Medication
For the more severe side effects that can come with the various IVF medications, it’s important to consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms described with the side effects.
You know your own body and it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with symptoms that can seem common, but become severe in certain cases like OHSS.
When it comes to managing the common side effects from IVF medications, you can:
- Stay Hydrated: IVF leaves you more susceptible to dehydration, so be sure to get your water intake in.
- Exercise: In moderation, and with low impact exercises such as walking, yoga and swimming, exercising can reduce some of the common maladies.
- Lower the Dose: Common side effects can become less severe when taking lower doses. Talk to your doctor about their care approach.
If IVF could be right for your path to parenthood, we can help you find a fertility clinic to continue on to the next steps of the process. Fill out our online contact form to the get the support you deserve.