Health Risks of Fertility Treatments Including Fertility Preservation
Fertility Treatments
This happens to be a rather comprehensive term for most of the medical procedures as well as medications used to help couples with infertility issues. Fertility treatments can range from ovulation-stimulating drugs to even surgeries for addressing underlying issues.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
This encompasses medical procedures used to address infertility, including treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) where eggs & sperm are used to promote conception. These technologies help individuals & couples achieve pregnancy when natural ways prove futile.
In Vitro fertilization
IVF happens to be the most common form of ART. It encompasses fertilizing eggs with sperm in a lab dish. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the uterus for implantation. IVF provides hope for couples with various infertility issues.
Egg Cryopreservation
Egg freezing happens to be a process involving hormonal stimulation of the ovaries. This is followed by transvaginal retrieval and subsequent freezing & storage of a female’s viable eggs. Egg freezing has been used since the late 1990s for fertility preservation for young women suffering with cancer, who are at danger of sterility as a result of their cancer treatments. Social egg freezing is usually advised for women under 38 years of age, who wish to have the option of having genetically related children at a later stage of their life. Doctors advise caution owing to limited data available on safety & efficacy of egg cryopreservation technique. However, egg freezing is still becoming more prevalent.
Complications of Ovarian Stimulation
Social egg freezing involves a number of medical risks. This is mainly due to the medications used to stimulate egg production. These medications may lead to mild side effects such as fatigue & nausea. However, in rare cases, this can even cause severe complications needing hospitalization. There can also be some long-term health effects like potential cancer risks, although their confirmation requires further studies. Furthermore, IVF used with frozen eggs carries its own risks such as multiple births & pregnancy complications.
Pregnancy Complications
While social egg freezing might be an option to delay childbearing, pregnancy at an advanced age (after the age of 35 years) has its own health risks for both mother & baby. Overaged mothers are more likely to experience preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and most of them need C-sections. Babies of these mothers might be born premature and with low birth weight. Also, there is limited evidence suggesting an augmentation in birth defects & potential health risks for babies conceived through IVF using frozen eggs.
Patient Counseling on Fertility Options
Social egg freezing is still a debated topic even today. Patient counseling on fertility options can help women have access to clear, unbiased information on reproductive health & family planning. This empowers women to make informed decisions about choosing their fertility option.
Dr. Meera B is a dedicated & concerned fertility specialist. Her clinic in Kollam, Kerala offers progressive fertility treatments in which she clearly communicates the potential health risks of fertility treatments to her patients so that they can make informed decisions.
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