How painful is in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization is a common technique for treating infertility, with increasing success rates, but it also comes with pain and discomfort. This article will introduce the discomfort during the IVF process from many aspects to help everyone better understand and cope with this process.
1. Discomfort and pain caused by drug injection
Normally, a woman releases only one mature egg each month, but during the IVF process, doctors inject the patient with a series of drugs to increase the number of eggs. These drugs often cause physical discomfort and pain, such as headaches, nausea, low back pain, and stomach discomfort. In addition, drug injections can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which manifests as symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing.
2. The process of egg collection
During an IVF cycle, doctors collect mature eggs from a woman’s ovaries. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves inserting a 10 to 15 centimeter long needle through the vagina into the ovaries under ultrasound guidance. The egg collection itself is usually not painful, but a woman\’s ovaries often become swollen due to the injected medication, which can cause discomfort and pain.
3. Discomfort of embryo transfer
After the eggs are collected, doctors combine them with sperm from a partner or donor to create embryos. During this process, the embryos are typically grown for two to five days before they are transplanted back into the woman\’s uterus. This procedure is usually not painful, but some women may experience mild stinging and discomfort.
4. Psychological stress and emotional pain
In addition to physical discomfort, IVF can also cause psychological stress and emotional pain. People often feel depressed and lost due to infertility and cannot easily shake off these negative emotions. In addition, the IVF treatment cycle usually takes several weeks or months, which can put a lot of pressure on the couple\’s daily life and work.
Summary
IVF is a treatment that requires patience and perseverance, and it brings physical and psychological pain. The wife needs to inject drugs and experience mild discomfort from overstimulation. The egg collection is also a local anesthesia process, and a 10 to 15 cm long needle is passed through the vagina and into the ovaries. Additionally, you may experience mild stinging and discomfort during the embryo transfer process. Finally, it is important for infertile couples to manage their mood and emotional state to help them better cope with intraoperative and postoperative challenges.
