Improve Fertility
Re: Female Fertility Age
Many studies have shown that the use of fertility drugs increases a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. New studies are now emerging that say use of fertility drugs do not cause ovarian cancer. “Use of fertility drugs does not increase a woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer” said researches in the American Journal of Epidemiology (Vol. 155, No. 3: 217-224). However, researchers did find an association between the gynecological condition, endometriosis and ovarian cancer. This study is confusing because it is not truly known if the ovarian cancer stems from the actual endometriosis or the drug treatment of it.
Some women who receive fertility drugs do go on to get ovarian cancer. This may be because of the underlying condtion that caused the infertility in the first place, and not because of the treatments themselves, said Dr. Robert Ness, MD, MPH of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public Health. The new study that the use of fertility drugs does not cause ovarian cancer is very reassuring to the hundreds of thousands of women who undergo fertility treatments each year.
Ever since two studies emerged over a decade ago, citing that the use of fertility drugs caused ovarian cancer, women were tremendously concerned and fearful. They felt powerless and anxious to know what the trade off would be if they chose to have a baby. Now they can rest assured that new studies say that fertility drugs do not cause ovarian cancer. Studies show that infertile women who underwent fertility treatments were no more likely to get ovarian cancer than those who have never used fertility medications. It's most likely not the fertility drugs that cause ovarian cancer, but the underlying cause, as would be the case in endometriosis. The inflammation caused by endometriosis may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer. While it is important to note that even though research is showing that fertility drugs do not cause ovarian caner, women must still be diligent about getting routine pelvic exams, whether or not they use fertility drugs.
Clomid, a very popular fertility drug has been implicated in causing or promoting ovarian cancer has been exonerated as have other fertility drugs. Just because researcher are saying fertility drugs do not cause ovarian cancer, it is important to note that fertility drugs should not be taken indefinitely. Your physician can discuss with you how many cycles are appropriate for your situation.
It is very important to keep in mind that irrelevant of whether or not fertility drugs cause ovarian cancer or not, the disease is very uncommon, and women shouldn't obsess needlessly. They just need appropriate follow up care of their infertility and fertility drug use and maintain a communicative relationship with their doctors. The great news is, that studies show that for now fertility drugs do not cause ovarian cancer.
Sources - American Journal of Epidemiology (vol. 155, No. 3: 217-224)
http://www.cancer.org/locroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_No_link
Dr. Roberta Nass, MD, MPH - University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
