Risks of artificial insemination
Hormone treatment and artificial insemination can carry risks. Hormone treatment can lead to side effects, overstimulation or even multiple pregnancies. The process of artificial insemination through insemination or IVF also carries medical risks, after all it is a medical intervention, albeit a small one. Find out more about the risks of fertilization and hormone treatment here.
Side effects of the medication
The drugs administered as part of hormone treatment can be associated with side effects, such as headaches and mood swings.
multiple pregnancies
The greatest “risk” of hormone treatment and artificial insemination is a multiple pregnancy . This is mainly due to the strong stimulation of the ovaries described above, which intentionally promotes the formation of many mature egg cells. In IVF, multiple embryos are also transferred into the womb to increase the chances of success. Of course, this also increases the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy.
Statistically, around twenty percent of all pregnant women who have undergone IVF treatment have twins and up to three percent even have triplets. Due to the restriction to three embryos, which is mandatory in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the probability of having more than three children is lower than in other countries. Also, most doctors only insert three embryos if the woman is at least 38 years old. Younger women only get one or two embryos.
With the increased chance of multiple pregnancies, the risk of premature birth also increases . Unfortunately, in the case of multiple pregnancies, births before the 30th week are more common . In addition, premature rupture of membranes can occur in the first three months . This means that the amniotic sac surrounding the baby in the womb ruptures. This allows germs from the vagina to get into the uterus and cause inflammation there. But even these complications are exceptions. As a rule, multiple births are also born without complications and healthy.
Ovarian hyperstimulation
Hormone treatment stimulates the ovaries to produce more mature eggs to increase the chances of fertilization. In about one percent of cases, this stimulation can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS). It mainly occurs after ovulation and the puncture for IVF. The likelihood of overstimulation is higher with IVF and ICSI treatment than with insemination , since the ovaries are stimulated much more with these two methods. OHSS is also more likely to occur in young or underweight women, women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and women who already have high levels of estradiol prior to hormone treatment.
It is not yet entirely clear how overstimulation is caused and how it works, but it is assumed that overstimulation causes vascular-active substances to enter the bloodstream and increases the permeability of the blood vessel walls. As a result, more fluid and protein enter the abdomen and tissue from the blood vessels. There is an accumulation of water, which can cause mild to severe pain, nausea, a feeling of fullness and a heavy weight gain of more than one kilogram per day. In very serious cases, the blood loses fluid content and thickens, leading to circulatory disorders. The chance of blood clots increases. Organs such as the kidneys are also less well supplied with blood and are therefore less able to function.
Unfortunately, since the interrelationships and causes of overstimulation are not yet fully known, no cause-related therapy is possible. It can be reassuringly said, however, that severe hyperstimulation syndrome is really rare. Thanks to the regular checks, the attending gynaecologist can usually quickly identify overstimulation and initiate countermeasures. Nevertheless, if pain occurs, you should contact the doctor directly in order to be able to react even earlier. If the risk of further treatment is still acceptable, the doctor gives clear instructions and monitors the further course. But in most cases, treatment is stopped for the safety of the patient.
Psychological stress
Fertility treatment is very time-consuming and requires a lot of patience from a couple. In addition, there is the emotional burden that arises from the strong emotional fluctuations between hope and fear, joy and disappointment. If a long time passes without the wish for a pregnancy being fulfilled, those affected often plunge into a crisis that can affect not only the quality of life, but also the health of the couple. Psychological stress, in turn, can be a significant obstacle to successful treatment.
In this situation, it is important for couples to realize that they are not alone with this problem. The exchange with other affected people online or in self-help groups, as well as the use of psychological help can help in this situation and relieve the couple.
Complications of the interventions
Because the procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance, complications associated with in vitro fertilization (IVF) surgery, such as minor trauma and bleeding or infection, are very rare. In very rare cases, other organs near the genitals, such as the intestines or the urinary bladder, can be injured during the puncture.
Higher risk of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
With artificial insemination, the probability of an ectopic pregnancy is unfortunately significantly higher than with a naturally occurring pregnancy. The risk of miscarriage also increases with age. However, a connection between miscarriages and IVF has not yet been clearly proven.
Largely unknown and rare: imprinting defects
A risk in the per thousand range are so-called “imprinting defects”. Imprinting describes the process of mapping a baby’s genes. During fertilization, both the mother’s and father’s genes are transferred. Each required gene is then present twice. In an early embryo, all genetic information remains readable for a short time. Only later in development is either the father’s or the mother’s gene activated, the other is “switched off”.
Recent research now leads to the assumption that fertilization in the test tube could disrupt the process of assigning genes during the course of the baby’s development. Researchers suspect that it leads to an increased activation of both genes. Genetic diseases in the child, such as Angelmann syndrome, can be the result. First experiments with animals strengthen these research hypotheses. However, this influence has not yet been researched in humans.
Due to this lack of information and the extremely rare occurrence of diseases such as Angelmann syndrome, many gynecologists do not inform couples about this risk. They want to avoid unnecessary fears and insecurity.
Your gynecologist will provide information
Doctors are obliged to explain the health risks of the treatment methods and the various treatment steps. If you do not understand what your doctor has explained to you, then by all means ask again. Because it is particularly important that you do not expect too much of your body and soul, even if the desire for a child is great. It is therefore also very important that you are sure that you have found the right doctor and that you prepare yourself with questions for your doctor’s appointments .
Do you have further questions?
Then simply take a look at our sections on getting pregnant , infertility and artificial insemination . There you can get a quick overview of further measures and treatment options.