Long-Term Effects of Fertility Treatments on Maternal Health

Background The long-term health effects of assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and hormonal therapies, remain poorly understood. This highlights the need to investigate potential chronic conditions that may arise following treatment. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of fertility treatments on maternal health, with a focus on the incidence of chronic conditions and overall health outcomes in women who have undergone such treatments. Methodology This cross-sectional study included 180 women, aged 20-45, who had received fertility treatments and successfully delivered a live child. The research was conducted at Rehman Medical Institute and Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, Pakistan, from January to December 2023. Data were collected through medical record reviews and structured interviews to assess long-term health outcomes, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Results The study included 180 participants with an average age of 34.5 years. Among them, 73 (40.56%) underwent hormone therapy, 81 (45.00%) used IVF, and 26 (14.44%) used intracytoplasmic sperm injection. All participants delivered live births, with 21 (11.67%) experiencing premature deliveries and 33 (18.33%) having multiple pregnancies. Key findings showed that nine (5.00%) developed cancer, 31 (17.22%) had metabolic disorders, and 24 (13.33%) developed cardiovascular disease. Overall, 146 (81.11%) participants reported excellent long-term health, while 34 (18.89%) had new diagnoses, including 12 (6.67%) with cardiovascular disease, 18 (10.00%) with metabolic disorders, and four (2.22%) with cancer. Additionally, 36 (20.00%) had preeclampsia, 21 (12.00%) experienced OHSS, and 12 (7.00%) developed gestational diabetes. Conclusions Despite most participants reporting excellent overall health, the study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and management, as it reveals significant long-term health risks associated with fertility treatments.