Infertility is a common medical condition. Nearly 12 percent of all women suffer from some form of impaired infertility in their lives. Infertility can be a treated in a wide variety of ways including surgery, weight loss or weight gain and medication. Some infertility treatments may cause side effects in female patients.
Mood Swings
Certain medications may cause mood swings when you take them. For example, Clomid is an infertility medication commonly used to induce ovulation. Clomid is generally taken between three to five days at the start of a menstrual cycle. Clomid is designed to induce the pituitary gland to work harder. Women who take this medication may experience mood swings that are similar to pregnancy. You may feel sad for a minute when you see a commercial about children suffering and then happy two minutes later when watching a commercial about travel to an exotic place. The effect is temporary and subsides after you stop taking the medication.
Breast Tenderness
Fertility medications may cause breast tenderness and swelling after you've taken them for a few days. The swelling is caused by an increase in hormone production that mimics pregnancy. Your breasts may also feel slightly painful. The swelling and tenderness will be reduced once you've stopped taking the medication. If you are pregnant as a result of treatment, expect the breast tenderness to continue for the early part of the pregnancy and possibly until the baby is born.
Pain at Injection Site
Infertility treatment may include the use of injectable medications such as Pergonal or Lupron. The medications are injected with a small needle. Pain, swelling and itching can occur at the site of the injection. To reduce this sensation, ice the area thoroughly before you begin the injection.
Dizziness
Doctors may prescribe progesterone after you have ovulated. Progesterone is taken orally or by injection. The progesterone may make you feel temporarily dizzy for a short period of time, such as 10 minutes. Sit down if you can and relax. The sensation should pass quickly. If you still feel dizzy, contact your reproductive endocrinologist (fertility specialist) to find out if you can reduce the dose and decrease your symptoms.
Headaches
Many infertility medications such as Lupron, progesterone and Clomid can cause headaches when women take them. The headache may be of short duration and feel like a tension headache. It may also be more sustained and last for a few hours. Many doctors will allow you to take a Tylenol to reduce the headache pain. Consult with your reproductive endocrinologist to find out your exact protocol.
Tags: commercial about, medications cause, medications such, mood swings, reproductive endocrinologist