Vomiting caused during fertility treatment is a side effect, and it is unharmful. Although it causes major complications are rare, undergoing the treatment process along with controlled lifestyle practices can help avoid vomiting and help in a successful pregnancy. This blog will give a detailed view of how to stop vomiting during your fertility treatment.
Effective Ways to Prevent Vomiting During Fertility Treatments
Altering Eating Habits
Instead of eating three large meals a day opt for small, frequent, and digestible meals throughout the day. The food should be bland and low in fat and provide necessary nutrients to the body.
Ginger
Ginger is an effective solution to reduce vomiting, and nausea, and promote digestion. Consuming a limited dosage of ginger will help in reducing vomiting and nausea. It is necessary to understand the dosage, as the heavy dosage of ginger could interrupt the hormonal treatment.
Avoid Strong Odors
Products such as foods, perfumes and other triggering elements that produce strong odours should be avoided while experiencing vomiting and nausea.
Hydration
Staying hydrated is important to avoid vomiting. Consuming small amounts of water or consuming electrolyte drinks in frequent intervals can help overcome vomiting and nausea, and keep you away from fatigue.
Enough Sleep
Fertility treatments are hormone-related, which could impact emotions and physical conditions. Having proper rest frequently and following a proper sleep cycle to avoid nausea and vomiting, and help refresh your body.
Avoid Caffeine
Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, as it could make nausea worse. Instead of going for caffeine, prioritise water, green tea or electrolyte drinks.
Is Vomiting During Fertility Treatment Common?
Vomiting is a pretty common side effect of fertility treatments, that occurs in women in one or more stages of the treatment. There are several reasons for vomiting and the severity varies from one person to another. Most of the time, the vomiting does not need any medical concerns, but chronic vomiting could lead to unusual side effects associated with it.
Causes of Vomiting During Fertility Treatment?
Hormonal Medications
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Hormones play a critical role in regulating numerous functions of the body such as digestion, metabolism, and mood. Any fluctuations in hormones could affect the menstrual cycle, thyroid or PCOS which affects fertility. These imbalances require hormonal medications to reinstate fertility.
Some of the common hormonal medicines that cause vomiting and nausea are:
- Gonadotropins (GnRH)
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- Progesterone
Ovarian stimulation uses a series of hormonal medications that use multiple follicle injections to promote the production of eggs during the retrieval process. The overstimulation of ovaries causes nausea and vomiting along with abdominal pain and bloating as a side effect.
Embryo Transfer
Vomiting and nausea after embryo transfer is pretty common and it is a sign that indicates an early sign of successful pregnancy.
Egg Retrieval
During the egg retrieval stage, people most commonly experience cramping, bloating and abdominal pain as a side effect. Since the egg retrieval stage is closely associated with ovarian stimulation, some women may experience vomiting due to medications.
Anxiety
Another important factor that causes vomiting is anxiety. The anxiousness releases neurotransmitters from the brain, which causes sweaty palms, high blood pressure and nausea. This can be controlled using personalized treatment plans such as medications, muscle relaxations and other relaxation techniques.
When to Seek Medical Attention?
Persistent Vomiting
Vomiting can be a common symptom of fertility treatment, however frequent, persistent vomiting needs medical attention. Vomiting for more than two days could be an indication of a more serious issue such as OHSS due to medical complications.
Abdominal Pain
Vomiting and nausea associated with severe abdominal pain and bloating due to fluid retention, making it difficult to breathe could be a severe condition of OHSS and it needs immediate medical attention.
Dehydration
Vomiting, along with the symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, dizziness, decreased urination, and fatigue needs medical attention. If untreated this could worsen and could lead to serious complications.
Fever
Sometimes vomiting could be accompanied by heavy fever, chills, abdominal pain and foul-smelling discharge. This could be a sign of infection and needs immediate medical attention to prevent complications.
Fatigue
Vomiting along with fatigue could be a symptom of hormonal shifts caused by fertility drugs. This could also associated with hot flashes, sleeplessness and tiredness. Consulting a doctor for medical help could help improve physical health.
Medications to Treat Vomiting During Fertility Treatment
Follow the proper medications preferred by your fertility doctor to moderate nausea and vomiting during fertility treatments. Some of the most commonly prescribed medicines to treat vomiting are:
- Vitamin B6/doxylamine combination
- Antihistamines
- Dopamine Antagonists
- Serotonin Antagonists
Conclusion
Vomiting during fertility treatment is pretty common, however, severe conditions could indicate major health complications. Although vomiting causing major complications is rare, undergoing the treatment process along with controlled lifestyle practices can help avoid vomiting and help in a successful pregnancy. We hope this blog helps understand how to avoid vomiting during fertility treatment and helps in planning a successful pregnancy.
