Pain during IVF

IVF has become one of the most prominent artificial reproductive techniques to treat infertility, making it a popular choice across the world. In case you too are considering this remedy to start your own family, several questions pop into your head. Whether this procedure is painful or not is one of those key questions. In this guide, we will try to provide you with a definite answer.

Is IVF painful?

IVF is a highly intricate medical procedure divided into several stages. While stating that IVF procedure is complexly pain less would be incorrect, it can be safely said that the physical discomfort during the procedure would be nothing too extreme. Also, the frequency and intensity of pain will differ based on two factors:

Pain differs from person to person

While some may find the pain during the IVF procedure next to negligible, other may find it slightly more testing. What is true for one patient may not be true for the other.

Pain differs from one stage to another

A patient reacts differently to each stage in the IVF cycle.  Thus, the level of the physical discomfort may be different in each stage. While some stages are more discomforting, others are not.

Fertility medication

As the first step in a highly complex series of procedures, the woman is prescribed several fertility medications. These include oral pills as well as injections. Since the latter is injected in the lower abdominal, it would cause the stinging sensations needles are known to cause. This is nothing out of the ordinary. The side effects of the drug may also lead to cramping like sensation in your lower abdomen, a pain you might experience during your menstrual cycle.

Egg release and retrieval

During this stage, developed eggs are retrieved from the female body through the insertion of an ultrasound probe into the vaginal cavity. This procedure is performed after administering sedatives after which the patient is not entirely unconscious but does not feel any pain during the procedure. After the procedure, however, you may experience mild abdominal discomfort or cramps for a few days post the procedure.

Embryo Transfer

In this final procedure, embryo is transferred into the uterine cavity with the help of an ultrasound guidance a small catheter. When compared to the egg retrieval stage, it is a lot less invasive.  However, your doctor might prescribe a mild sedative before this procedure to keep your cervix relaxed. For a couple of days afterwards, you may experience mild cramps of abdominal discomfort.