Frozen embryo use is linked to high blood pressure during pregnancy, says new study

A new study associates the use of frozen embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF) with an increased risk of pregnancy complications related to hypertension.

A large study published in the journal of the American Heart Association found that high blood pressureanalyzed data from over 4.5 million pregnancies over nearly 30 years in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Researchers found that the risk of hypertension-related pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, was greater after frozen embryo transfer than in pregnancies conceived without assisted reproductive assistance. The risk of pregnancy complications associated with the transfer of fresh embryos was similar to pregnancies without assisted reproductive assistance.

A specific breakdown of the risk of complications is as follows:

• Frozen Embryo Transfer – 7.4%
• Fresh Embryo Transfer – 5.9%
• Pregnancy without assisted reproduction – 4.3%

The researchers in this study concluded that frozen embryo transfer was associated with a “substantially higher risk” of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. , can lead to complications such as organ damage. mayo clinic.

“We thought this study was important because the number of pregnancies after frozen embryo transfer is increasing rapidly around the world,” Fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Whether you recently went through IVF or are considering getting pregnant using this technique, you probably have some questions.

Why are frozen embryos associated with pregnancy complications from high blood pressure?

This study didn’t investigate it, it just found a link. But there may be something behind this in the dosing protocol used in frozen embryo transfers, women’s health experts say. Jennifer WiderMD “There are different ways to prepare the uterus for transplantation, and the methods used in cryotransplantation may be the reason for the increased risk of hypertension,” she says.

say the risk may be age-related Jane Frederick, MD, reproductive endocrinologist and medical director of HRC Fertility in Orange County, CA. “Many patients who do IVF are elderly patients,” she says. Pregnancy complications associated with hypertension increase with age. National Institute for Child Health and Development (NICHD) notes that the risk of pre-eclampsia is higher in women over the age of 40.

“Older women, whether they conceived through an IVF cycle or not, are more likely to have high blood pressure anyway,” says Dr. Frederick. , “Multiple births are also associated with high blood pressure risk,” she says.

But Dr. Petersen says age may not explain everything, given that his team also looked at siblings for the study. There could be something else lurking behind it,” he said. “However, we believe that any carefully designed sibling analysis should take into account these factors, the so-called confounders that include age.”

Why Do People Use Frozen Embryos?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology and is performed cyclically. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In IVF, sperm from a partner or donor is matched with your own eggs or the donor’s eggs to create an embryo in the lab. That embryo is either frozen for later use or implanted into the uterus in hopes of a successful pregnancy, explains her ACOG.

Dr. Frederick says it’s common for people to freeze embryos. She estimates that about 85% of embryo transfers in her practice are frozen.

“We’ve found that if you stimulate the uterus, let it rest, and then transfer the embryos in a programmed cycle, it’s much more successful,” she says. Inspection is also possible. “You have to take cells from the embryo, freeze the embryo, and run the cells for chromosome analysis,” she says. “We are using this more in older patients.”

Frozen embryos are also used if you want to have more than one child, provided that multiple embryos can be created during the first cycle of in vitro fertilization, Dr. Frederick says. “Many people come back for a second child and use frozen embryos,” she says.

What precautions should I take?

All medical procedures carry risks. Weider says it’s important to understand the risks up front. “It’s important to discuss all potential benefits and risks before deciding whether this is the best course of action for each patient,” she says.

It’s a good idea to be aware of your high blood pressure risk before undergoing IVF, says Dr. Frederick.

Nicole WeinbergA cardiologist at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, she evaluates patients interested in becoming pregnant and recommends doing their best to live a healthy life. “You need to make sure your blood pressure is well controlled and that you can exercise without having an abnormal heart rate,” she says. “Making sure everything is healthy will help you have a more successful pregnancy.”

If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor. “There are many things you can do to offset high blood pressure,” he says, Dr. Frederick.

Korin Miller is a freelance writer who specializes in general health, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, and has appeared in men’s health, women’s health, self, glamour, and more. . She has a master’s degree from American University, she lives by the sea, and one day she hopes to own a teacup, a pig and an octopus her truck.