|  | Conditions Treatments | Infertility

Long-Term Risk of Fertility Drugs

Fertility drugs induce ovulation and increase chance of conception. About 12 percent of women are infertile, according to the CDC. The medical community is divided on possible long-term risks of these drugs.

  1. Multiple Births

    • The drugs can cause multiple births, which can be dangerous for both the mother and offspring in the long run, and at birth. Premature babies are at greater risk of lifelong issues such as lung and heart problems and cerebral palsy.

    Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome

    • Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome, in which the ovaries become excessively large and leak fluid into the abdomen, occurs in about 1 percent of those undergoing treatment, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. OHSS may result in long-lasting complications, including fluid buildup, blood clots and kidney failure.

    Birth Defects

    • As reported by the New York Times, researchers analyzing data from the U.S. government's National Birth Defects Prevention study claim the data suggest that the use of intracytoplasic sperm injection during in vitro fertilization poses the risk of birth defects. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, however, states that these drugs do not cause birth defects.

    Cancer

    • These drugs have been claimed to cause ovarian cancer, but a 2009 study in Denmark suggests that they do not increase this risk.

    Ectopic Pregnancy

    • The American Society for Reproductive Medicine states that women who use fertility drugs have a slightly elevated chance of ectopic pregnancy, whose long-term effects include loss of a fallopian tube.

Infertility - Related Articles