Title: “Study Reveals Increased Risk of Stroke among Women Who Underwent Fertility Treatment”
In a ground-breaking study conducted by Rutgers University in New Jersey, researchers have found a concerning link between fertility treatment and increased likelihood of stroke for women who give birth using assisted reproductive technology. The study, which analyzed data from over 30 million pregnancies, revealed that women who underwent treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI) were 66 percent more likely to suffer a stroke within a year of giving birth.
The research further highlighted that women who received fertility treatments faced a twofold higher risk of experiencing a severe form of stroke known as hemorrhagic stroke. Additionally, they were found to be 55 percent more likely to suffer from an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot blocking blood supply to the brain.
The link between fertility treatments and stroke risk has raised concerns among healthcare professionals, as stroke is the leading cause of death among pregnant women, with approximately 30 out of every 100,000 women experiencing a stroke within one year after delivery.
The researchers have suggested that hormone treatments involved in fertility procedures, in addition to a higher risk of improper implantation of the placenta, could potentially contribute to the increased risk of stroke among women who undergo these treatments.
As more individuals choose to have children later in life, the use of fertility treatments like IVF and IUI has been on the rise. Despite a declining birth rate in the US, there has been a record number of women in their 40s giving birth, leading to a greater reliance on such procedures.
IVF involves removing an egg from the ovaries, fertilizing it with sperm in a laboratory, and then implanting the resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus. IUI, on the other hand, includes the injection of sperm directly into the uterus.
Hormone treatments involved in these procedures, primarily injecting estrogen, may potentially damage blood vessel linings, increase clotting factors, and elevate the risk of stroke.
Furthermore, women who undergo IVF are also at a higher risk of developing ischemic placental disease, which can increase blood pressure and inflammation levels, as well as the number of clotting factors, thereby further elevating the risk of stroke.
Although factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and older age have also been found to contribute to the increased risk of stroke, the strokes observed in this study specifically occurred after pregnancy, likely due to a drop in blood pressure as the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
This extensive study analyzed data from the Nationwide Readmissions Database, which included over 31 million women who delivered babies between 2010 and 2018. Less than 1 percent of women in the study had undergone fertility treatment, yet the hospitalization rate for stroke within 12 months was 66 percent higher in this group compared to those who conceived naturally.
As the utilization of fertility treatments continues to rise, it is integral for healthcare providers to thoroughly assess the potential risks associated with these procedures. Additional research is warranted to develop strategies to mitigate the chances of stroke among women pursuing assisted reproductive technology.
Disclaimer: The content presented in this article is based on research findings and should not be substituted for professional medical advice. It is recommended to consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance regarding fertility treatment and associated risks.
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