IVF Risks & Complications

Understand the potential medical, emotional, and treatment-related risks of IVF — including OHSS, multiple pregnancy, medication effects, and egg retrieval complications — with guidance reviewed by Dr. Alejandro Castillo Peláez.

Risks and Complications of IVF

IVF is considered a safe, routine medical procedure — performed millions of times worldwide — but, like any medical treatment, it carries certain risks.

Most complications are mild and temporary, but it’s important to understand what can happen during ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and early pregnancy.

What follows is a clear, patient-friendly overview reviewed by reproductive biologists and fertility specialists, and designed to help you make informed decisions during your treatment.

Key Takeaways

IVF risks are generally low, but mild and temporary side effects are common.
OHSS is one of the most discussed risks but is far less common today thanks to modern protocols.
Egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and early pregnancy carry small procedure-related risks.
Choosing the right IVF protocol reduces complications and improves safety.

Risks During Ovarian Stimulation

Most patients experience mild symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pressure, or mood changes caused by rising hormone levels.

The main medical risk during stimulation is OHSS (Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome), which occurs when the ovaries respond too strongly to medication.

What causes OHSS?

OHSS is caused by increased vascular activity in the ovaries, leading to fluid shifts in the body.

Modern antagonist protocols and trigger medications like Lupron have made severe OHSS extremely rare.

Risks Related to Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation. Complications are rare, but may include:

Mild cramping or pelvic discomfort
Light vaginal spotting
Temporary bloating
Very rare bleeding or infection

A skilled medical team helps mitigate any significant risks.

Risks During Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is one of the safest steps in IVF. The most common considerations include:

Mild cramping
Cervical sensitivity
Minimal spotting

Serious complications are extremely rare. Factors such as uterine lining quality, embryo quality, and progesterone levels play a much larger role than any procedure-related risk.

Risks During Early Pregnancy

Once implantation occurs, pregnancy progresses very similarly to a naturally conceived pregnancy.

However, early pregnancy risks include: • Biochemical pregnancy • Early miscarriage • Ectopic pregnancy (rare but possible)

Age, embryo quality, and underlying conditions play a significant role — you can learn more in our guide on IVF and age.

Do Some Risks Increase IVF Cost?

Most risks do not significantly change the cost of treatment.

However, certain scenarios — such as needing additional monitoring, extra medications, or freezing all embryos to avoid OHSS — can affect pricing slightly.

For a full financial breakdown, visit our complete guide to IVF costs in Mexico.

🙌 You're not alone — we’re here to guide you

Whether you're comparing clinics, navigating your options, or trying to understand what the next step should be, having clear medical guidance truly makes a difference.

Every patient who reaches out speaks directly with Dr. Alejandro Castillo Peláez or his international coordinator, Michaël — so your questions are answered by the people who are actually involved in your care.

Our role is simple: to help you access safe, transparent and personalized fertility treatment in Mexico, without overwhelm or guesswork.