Why you want to detox after IVF

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Detox after IVF

Why you want to detox from IVF drugs

When you undergo in vitro fertilisation (IVF), your doctor prescribes an array of synthetic hormones to help you conceive. These hormones include drugs for ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation, which may necessitate a detox after IVF to aid your body in recovering from the hormone exposure.

Whilst these fertility drugs are considered a normal part of the IVF process, for many women they do not come without increased long term risks and immediate side effects. This is especially true for women with pre-existing hormone imbalances, for those genetically pre-dispositioned to cardiovascular disease and those with impaired oestrogen metabolism/detoxification (as commonly found in women with Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and Fibroids).

Some of these side effects & risks include:

  • Short term Irregular and/or painful periods; mood changes, anxiety, depression; fluid retention, ascites, weight gain; hot flashes; bloating; fatigue; muscle aches; thrombosis, stroke.; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (1)(4)
  • Post-Partum Post-partum anxiety & depression; Postpartum haemorrhage; Birth interventions such as forceps deliveries and C-sections; Giving birth to a baby who needs to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)(1)(4)
  • Long term Increased ovarian and breast cancer, especially for those with family histories of these cancers and pre-existing endometriosis, as well as cadriovascular events such as heart failure, thrombosis and stroke (2)(3)

Could IVF drugs contribute to cancer risk?

Some research has demonstrated that high-dose hormonal therapies can trigger cancer growth. For example, some oestrogenic forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) are thought to increase the risk of breast cancer (3). This is likely because these hormonal treatments alter cell growth patterns, “training” the cells to grow out of control eventually developing into cancer. As IVF treatments involve manipulating hormone levels, there is concern from some in the medical community around long-term cancer risks for some women undergoing the IVF treatment.

A large population-based study in Great Britain also found a slight increase in the risk of ovarian cancer among women who underwent IVF, especially those who had multiple cycles of ovarian stimulation (2). Furthermore, research indicates a transiently increased risk of breast cancer after childbirth, which is significant for women undergoing fertility treatments (3). This information is especially relevant to women with endometriosis who have a much higher risk of developing these cancer due tot he impaired oestrogen metabolism that contributes to the disease. 

Can  IVF can make Endometriosis worse?

Many women with endometriosis experience issues with fertility, thus pursue support via IVF. Whilst there is no doubt this can help with conception, it can also often make Endometriosis symptoms much worse.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory, oestrogen-dependent disease – which means it relies on the hormone to grow and thrive. During IVF (in the egg retrieval phase), women are given large (and currently unregulated) doses of oestrogenic drugs that make natural oestrogen levels much higher than normal. These high doses of oestrogen not only put extra stress on the liver, but also have great potential to fuel and flare pre-existing endometrial tissue by enlarging lesions (thus heightening symptoms).

Despite there not being a lot of evidence in the research to support this, most fertility specialists understand this as a possibility for endometriosis patients that go thru the IVF process.

Detoxifying from IVF Drugs with Natural Medicines

It is possible to reduce all of the symptoms and risk factors described above with the help of natural medicines to help you detox after IVF.

There are ideal times to do this are:

  1. After the completion of IVF — after delivery and breastfeeding are complete; or if after the IVF has failed and has been discontinued.
  2. In between  frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles (after the collection, but before the next transfer… you need a few months to do this in between at minimum). 

How Long Does It Take For Hormones To Balance After IVF?

The time it takes for hormones to balance after IVF can vary significantly among women, typically ranging from three to six months. This variation is largely influenced by genetic predispositions that affect a woman’s ability to detoxify. Some women possess genetic variations that make them more efficient at processing and eliminating synthetic hormones, while others may struggle with slower detox pathways. (For example, women with reproductive diseases like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids are already known to have genetic predispositions that make them slow detoxifiers).

The effectiveness and speed of detoxification are also dependent on a woman’s tolerance to the various natural medicines that aid detoxification, which can be quite potent. Additionally, the state of a woman’s health before starting detoxification plays a critical role. Women with a pre-existing robust gut health, well-functioning elimination pathways & balanced hormones are likely to experience a quicker result compared to those with pre-existing digestive or eliminatory issues. Overall, while the average duration for hormonal rebalancing post-IVF is three to six months, individual experiences can differ widely based on these factors.

Naturopathic Approaches to Post-IVF Detox

Naturopathic medicine uses therapeutic diets, functional medicine assessments, clinical nutrition, and herbal medicine to support:

  1. Risk Factor Identification

    • Identifying genetic SNPs, hormone, and hormone metabolite testing.

  2. Liver Detoxification Pathways

    • Supporting the liver helps convert fat-soluble oestrogen to water-soluble, allowing elimination via urine, faeces, and sweat. Liver detoxification is crucial post-IVF to clear synthetic hormones, xenoestrogens, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mimic oestrogen.

  3. Gallbladder Health and Bile Flow

    • Gallbladder health is imperative for enhancing liver detox and elimination pathways so you can detox after IVF. 

  4. Body Fat Reduction

    • Oestrogen (in the form of oestrone) is often stored in fatty tissues. Reducing body fat can help lower these levels.

Addressing Histamine and Hormone Balance

  1. Histamine Intolerance

    • Histamine is a compound that stimulates the ovaries to make more oestrogen. Oestrogen, in turn, stimulates mast cells to produce more histamine and down-regulates DAO, the enzyme needed to break it down. Naturally reducing histamine levels helps to lower overall oestrogen levels in the body.

  2. Strengthening the Microbiome

    • Improving nutrient absorption, overall liver/immune function, and decreasing inflammation in the body. (Note: high dose hormone-based drugs inflame the body).

  3. Balancing Hormones

    • Naturally boosting progesterone is crucial as it up-regulates DAO and regulates aggressive estradiol levels.

For more information on how you can work with me to naturally detox after IVF, send me an enquiry and book your free 15 minute Discovery call today.

Cheers,

Image sourced from EveryDay Health

References

1. Mayo Clinic on IVF Side Effects: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716

2. BMJ Study on Ovarian, Breast, and Uterine Cancer Risks: https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m299

3. Oxford Academic Study on Breast Cancer Risks: https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/34/4/771/5519422

4. Illume Fertility on IVF Side Effects: https://www.illumefertility.com/ivf-side-effects