Some of the treatments for infertility can cause complications. These are outlined below.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS causes your ovaries to swell, and to produce too many follicles (small fluid-filled sacs in which an egg develops). It most commonly occurs after use of medicines which stimulate your ovaries , such as clomifene and gonadtrophins. It can also develop after IVF . Symptoms may include:

• nausea ,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain ,
• bloating,
• constipation ,
• diarrhea , and
• dark, concentrated urine.

The symptoms are often mild and can be easily treated. However, severe cases OHSS can lead to thrombosis (a blood clot in the artery or vein ), liver and kidney dysfunction, and respiratory distress. Severe OHSS is a potentially life-threatening condition.

Ectopic pregnancy

The word ' ectopic ' means in the wrong place. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants outside of the womb. Over 95% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes .

If a fertilized egg implants itself in your fallopian tube , and continues to grow, it can result in miscarriage and there is a risk of the tube bursting. Signs of an ectopic pregnancy include pains low down in your stomach and vaginal bleeding.

If you are having fertility treatment, your chances of having an ectopic pregnancy are slightly increased, particularly if you have existing problems with your fallopian tubes .

Multiple pregnancy

Having more than one baby may not seem like a bad thing, but it does significantly increase the risk of developing complications for both you and your children. Multiple pregnancy can cause a woman's blood pressure to rise significantly. You are also 2-3 times more likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy compared to if you are carrying a single baby.

Around 50% of all twins, and 90% of triplets, are born prematurely, or with a low birth weight. The risk of your baby dying in the first week of life is five times higher for twins, than for a single baby. For triplets, this risk increases to nine times higher, than for a single baby.

Stress

Infertility can be very stressful and put a lot of strain on relationships. It may be helpful for you to join a support group where you can talk through your feelings and experiences with other people experiencing similar problems. Finding out that you have a fertility problem can be traumatic, and many couples also find it helpful to talk to a counselor. The counselor can discuss treatment options with you, how they may affect you, and the emotional implications.