What are the side effects of fertility drugs?
A. Among the most common bothersome side effects of clomiphene are hot flashes, which occur in 10 percent of women. Abdominal discomfort and bloating is seen in less than 5 percent. Less common are nausea, vomiting, and breast discomfort, which occur in 2 percent of women. Gonadotropins can cause side effects similar to clomiphene. The most common serious adverse event with gonadotropins is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This causes ovarian enlargement and pain and an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen that is potentially dangerous. This results in pain in the pelvic area. The occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome varies with the gonadotropin used, but with most gonadotropins, hyperstimulation occurs in 5 percent to 7 percent of women, with severe cases affecting less than 2 percent of patients, according to Gassman. Mild cases may result in the development of ovarian cysts. “In severe cases of this, patients may need to be hospitalized for lung, kidney, and liver probl
