People are often concerned that the use of fertility drugs may increase a woman’s risk of cancer. Some studies have focussed on the relationship between fertility treatment and cancer, including large studies looking at the use of fertility drugs and breast cancer. When the results are combined, studies of more 45,000 women have found no overall increase in the rate of breast cancer among women who have used fertility treatment.

Ovarian and uterine cancers are much more uncommon and therefore more difficult to study. However, most studies have shown no significant increase in the risk of developing these cancers after using fertility drugs. Some studies have raised questions about whether there is an increase in cancer risk associated with the duration of fertility drug use, or use of specific types of fertility drugs among some groups of infertile women. To date, there is no conclusive evidence that these factors increase the risk of cancer.

Although the findings of these studies are reassuring, it is important to remember that IVF has only been available for just 40 years and that it is only in the last three decades that IVF has been used by large numbers of women. Therefore, questions remain about the very long-term risks of using fertility drugs, particularly for rare forms of cancer. Also, little is known about the effect of fertility drugs in women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or in women with a personal history of cancer prior to fertility treatment.

Read more on the possible health effects of IVF here.

You can ask your fertility clinic about the counselling sessions included as part of your treatment.

If you want to speak to a private counsellor specialising in infertility, ANZICA has a list of independent counsellors.

When IVF fails, people often feel very disappointed and sad. However, follow-up studies show that within a few years of ending treatment, there are very few differences in terms of emotional wellbeing and life satisfaction between those who had a baby as a result of IVF and those who did not.

Fertility treatment is emotionally demanding. It is common for people to feel sad and worried during the ups and downs of treatment, particularly when waiting for results, when treatment fails, or when deciding whether to stop treatment. It’s important to know that there is no evidence that worry or sadness reduces your chance of success with IVF. Options for getting support include:

• social support networks which can be made up of partners, family members, friends and work colleagues.
• professional support from your fertility clinic
• professional support from a private counsellor

Having several sources of support is often useful and if you reach out you are likely to find people who are more than willing to listen and help in any way they can.

It’s helpful to know your options so you can make well-informed decisions. Talk to your fertility specialist and nurses about what to expect as part of your treatment and for resources about your treatment.

Studies over the years have shown that babies born after fertility treatment are more likely to be born prematurely and to weigh less at birth, and they have a slightly greater risk of birth defects.

However, by the time they become adults, research has shown that they are just healthy as other people. You can read more here

It is important to understand the success rates with different treatment options. Here are some questions to ask to help you get a realistic idea of your chance of having a baby with IVF.

• Considering your circumstances and medical history, what chance of having a baby can you expect?
• what is the clinic’s chance of a baby per started stimulated treatment cycle?
• What is the clinic’s chance of success for women of your age?
• What proportion of women in your age-group have embryos available for freezing after a stimulated treatment cycle?
• What is the cumulative chance of having a baby for a woman of your age if she has three stimulated treatment cycles?

You can read more about Understanding IVF success rates here.

Fertility treatment is physically and emotionally demanding, and depending on your needs it can be expensive, so it is important to find a clinic and doctor that’s right for you. You can ask your GP for advice about choosing a fertility specialist, but you can also do your own research before committing to a doctor and clinic. You can read more about choosing a fertility specialist and clinic here.

Speak to your GP about referral to a fertility specialist if you have been trying to get pregnant for 12 months or more of unprotected sex without success. If you are 35 years or older, it is recommended to seek advice after six months of trying unsuccessfully.

If you’ve tried to get pregnant for a year or more, and there’s no explanation for your lack of success, you have unexplained infertility. A fertility specialist can advise you on the best options. You can find out more about unexplained infertility here.

For women, fertility starts to decline around age 30 and from age 35 the decline speeds up. Men’s fertility starts to decline from age 40. Regardless of if you are conceiving naturally or using fertility treatment, women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of having a child than those who are older.