Infertility treatment may increase stroke risk in women.
Infertility treatment may increase stroke risk in women.
Increased Risk of Stroke in Women Who Underwent Fertility Treatments
Fertility treatments have long been used as a means for women to conceive when natural methods prove challenging. However, a recent study has shown that there may be a potential risk associated with these treatments. According to senior study author Dr. Cande Ananth, chief of epidemiology and biostatistics at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, women who become pregnant after undergoing fertility treatments have an elevated risk of stroke.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network, analyzed the cases of 31 million patients who had a hospital delivery between 2010 and 2018 in 28 states. Among these patients, more than 287,000 had undergone infertility treatments. The researchers found that women who had undergone fertility treatments faced twice the risk of bleeding in the brain, known as hemorrhagic stroke, and a 55% greater risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted.
While the absolute number of strokes reported in the study was low, it is essential for women seeking fertility treatment to be aware of these increased risks. The exact reasons behind the link between fertility treatments and strokes are not yet fully understood. However, Dr. Ananth suggests that infertility procedures can cause physiological changes in women due to the large amounts of estrogen they receive during the treatments. These changes may lead to increased clotting, a significant risk factor for strokes.
It is worth noting that women who undergo fertility treatments already have a higher risk of certain vascular complications, such as preeclampsia and placental abruption. The treatments themselves are often received due to underlying biological characteristics that contribute to infertility. Therefore, it is crucial to consider and understand the potential risks associated with fertility treatments.
The study reported that approximately 37 women were hospitalized for stroke for every 100,000 women who had undergone fertility treatment. However, it is important to recognize that these treatments are generally considered safe, with about 2% of U.S. births involving some form of fertility treatment, including intrauterine insemination, assisted reproductive technology, use of a surrogate, and fertility preservation procedures.
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It is interesting to note that a separate study of women in Scandinavian countries, published earlier in the journal JAMA Cardiology, did not find the same increased risks associated with fertility treatments. This discrepancy may be due to various factors, including differences in the study population or the specific types of fertility treatments used.
While the findings highlight the potential risk of stroke in women who have received fertility treatments, it is essential to interpret these results with caution. Fertility treatments have helped millions of women conceive successfully, and they continue to be an invaluable resource for those struggling with infertility. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to discuss the potential risks and benefits of fertility treatments with patients, ensuring they are fully informed and able to make educated decisions about their reproductive health.
Conclusion
The study’s findings suggest that women who become pregnant after undergoing fertility treatments may face an elevated risk of stroke. While the exact reasons behind this link are yet unknown, it is possible that the treatments’ physiological changes, caused by increased estrogen levels and potential clotting, contribute to this risk. Despite the increased risk, it is important to note that fertility treatments are generally considered safe and have a high success rate. Women who are considering or currently undergoing fertility treatments should be informed and educated about the potential risks and benefits, allowing them to make well-informed decisions about their reproductive health.
