American reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian recently spoke in a public interview about her personal experience undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). She stated that during the treatment her body showed noticeable changes, including being told by doctors that she had entered a state of early menopause, as well as weight gain. These remarks sparked widespread discussion on social platforms and have led many people who are considering or currently undergoing IVF treatment to pay attention to: how common these physical reactions actually are, and how they should be understood.
The core of IVF treatment is to stimulate the ovaries with medication to retrieve multiple eggs, then complete fertilization in the laboratory, after which embryos are transferred into the uterus. In order to allow multiple follicles to mature synchronously, hormone-related medications are needed during treatment, and the concentrations of estrogen and other hormones in the body will therefore fluctuate considerably. Some women may feel bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, or edema during treatment, and the number on the scale may also rise temporarily. These reactions are mostly related to temporary water retention and hormonal changes caused by the medication, and are not equivalent to long-term health damage.
As for the statement about "early menopause," it needs to be understood more carefully. Medically, menopause usually refers to the natural decline of ovarian function and the permanent cessation of menstruation; however, the medications used in IVF treatment may temporarily suppress the normal cyclical functioning of the ovaries, causing menstruation to be absent during treatment or for a short time afterward, and blood test values may also appear similar to menopause. This situation is mostly temporary, and ovarian function usually gradually recovers after treatment ends. However, some women already have low ovarian reserve to begin with, or are themselves close to the natural age of menopause, so changes before and after treatment may overlap with the natural course and be easily interpreted as menopause directly caused by the treatment. The actual causal relationship still needs to be judged by the attending physician based on the individual's blood test data and medical history.
For readers seeking medical care across borders, the significance of this sharing lies in the reminder that IVF treatment is not just the two steps of "egg retrieval and transfer," but a process that affects the body's entire hormonal environment. Before choosing treatment, one should fully discuss with the physician one's own ovarian function, the types and dosages of medications, and understand the possible short-term discomfort; during treatment, if there is obvious bloating, difficulty breathing, or rapid weight gain, one should immediately report it to the medical team. Regarding weight changes, most people will gradually return to their original state after stopping the medication, but if weight continues to rise, diet and activity adjustments can also be discussed with the physician. Recording bodily sensations truthfully is an important basis for communicating with different medical teams when seeking care across borders.
Source: rollercoaster.ie. This article is a compiled report and is for general informational reference.
This article was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team before publication.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed physician. Content guidelines & editorial policy
News | Kourtney Kardashian says IVF treatment caused early menopause and weight gain
American reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian recently spoke in a public interview about her personal experience undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). She stated that during the treatment her body showed noticeable changes, including being told by doctors that she had entered a state of early menopause, as well as weight gain. These remarks sparked widespread discussion on social platforms and have led many people who are considering or currently undergoing IVF treatment to pay attention to: how common these physical reactions actually are, and how they should be understood.
The core of IVF treatment is to stimulate the ovaries with medication to retrieve multiple eggs, then complete fertilization in the laboratory, after which embryos are transferred into the uterus. In order to allow multiple follicles to mature synchronously, hormone-related medications are needed during treatment, and the concentrations of estrogen and other hormones in the body will therefore fluctuate considerably. Some women may feel bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, or edema during treatment, and the number on the scale may also rise temporarily. These reactions are mostly related to temporary water retention and hormonal changes caused by the medication, and are not equivalent to long-term health damage.
As for the statement about "early menopause," it needs to be understood more carefully. Medically, menopause usually refers to the natural decline of ovarian function and the permanent cessation of menstruation; however, the medications used in IVF treatment may temporarily suppress the normal cyclical functioning of the ovaries, causing menstruation to be absent during treatment or for a short time afterward, and blood test values may also appear similar to menopause. This situation is mostly temporary, and ovarian function usually gradually recovers after treatment ends. However, some women already have low ovarian reserve to begin with, or are themselves close to the natural age of menopause, so changes before and after treatment may overlap with the natural course and be easily interpreted as menopause directly caused by the treatment. The actual causal relationship still needs to be judged by the attending physician based on the individual's blood test data and medical history.
For readers seeking medical care across borders, the significance of this sharing lies in the reminder that IVF treatment is not just the two steps of "egg retrieval and transfer," but a process that affects the body's entire hormonal environment. Before choosing treatment, one should fully discuss with the physician one's own ovarian function, the types and dosages of medications, and understand the possible short-term discomfort; during treatment, if there is obvious bloating, difficulty breathing, or rapid weight gain, one should immediately report it to the medical team. Regarding weight changes, most people will gradually return to their original state after stopping the medication, but if weight continues to rise, diet and activity adjustments can also be discussed with the physician. Recording bodily sensations truthfully is an important basis for communicating with different medical teams when seeking care across borders.
Source: rollercoaster.ie. This article is a compiled report and is for general informational reference.