Have you recently undergone an embryo transfer? Then, you must be starting to experience a number of symptoms right now.
During your IVF treatments, your doctor would have notified you regarding the symptoms you might experience after the embryo transfer procedrue. Some may indicate a positive IVF, and others may indicate a failed IVF.
However, there are some symptoms that are not definitely a sign of a positive pregnancy. One such symptom is breast pain after embryo transfer.
So, is it normal for you to get breast pain after embryo transfer? What are the causes and managing techniques of breast pain after embryo transfer? Let’s look at all these in this article.
Is Breast Pain Normal After Embryo Transfer?
To answer your question, yes, breast pain is normal after embryo transfer. According to research conducted in 2018, almost 47% of women undergoing IVF reported mild breast tenderness or pain after embryo transfer. So, this is nothing to worry about.
Breast pain is also one of the most common early pregnancy signs. So, if you have breast pain after embryo transfer, it might be a sign of positive IVF. However, it can also be caused by hormonal changes due to hormonal injections. So, it does not always indicate a pregnancy.
Causes Of Breast Pain After Embryo Transfer
Breast pain is a common symptom you might experience during IVF treatments. Below are some of the most common causes of breast pain after embryo transfer.
Hormonal Changes
After embryo implantation, your body will start producing the pregnancy hormones (hCG, estrogen, & progesterone hormone level) into your body to sustain the pregnancy and aid with baby development.
These hormones can affect your breasts and can cause breast pain and tenderness.
Medication Side Effects
The hormonal medications you take during the IVF cycle can also affect your breast. These medications are administered to produce more mature eggs, improve uterine lining, and improve your chances of pregnancy. However, they can also cause minor side effects like breast pain and other symptoms.
Symptoms And Duration
Remember, when we say breast pain, it does not always mean you will literally have pain in your breasts. You might also feel certain symptoms, like
- A tingling sensation in your breasts,
- Tenderness and swelling,
- Increased sensitivity,
- Darkening of areolas, or
- A tingling sensation.
All these symptoms are associated with breast pain after embryo transfer.
When it comes to the duration of this symptom, it generally varies from person to person depending on their hormone level, body condition, and the cause of breast pain.
If the pain was caused by pregnancy, there are chances of having breast pain and other symptoms about a week or 10 after embryo transfer, and it generally lasts till the end of your first trimester.
If it was caused by your hormonal medications, the duration and intensity of breast pain depend on the dosage and how long you take the medication. This pain usually subsides after a few days.
It can be difficult for you to determine the cause of breast pain. It is best to consult your fertility doctor in case of any issues.
Managing Breast Pain After Embryo Transfer
Below are some effective measures you can take to manage breast pain after embryo transfer.
- Wear supportive bras that provide gentle compression and do not press too hard on your breasts.
- Apply cold or warm compressions (test and see which helps you manage breast pain) at regular intervals if you feel pain.
- Get some rest and avoid doing strenuous activities.
- Gently massage your breasts with essential oils to soothe your pain.
- Consult your doctor and take over-the-counter pain medications if the pain does not subside.
When To Seek Medical Advice
Breast pain after embryo transfer is normal and usually nothing to worry about. However, if the pain is severe and persistent, it is best to visit your fertility doctor and get some medical advice. It is best to identify early if you have certain complications that are causing breast pain.
Conclusion
Remember, you will always experience certain symptoms during and after your IVF treatments. The main issue remains in identifying the cause of those symptoms. It’s important to understand that not all symptoms you experience are negative signs after embryo transfer.
Don’t always worry that these symptoms are negative. They might be positive, too, sometimes. So, be positive and always hope for the best outcome.
Below are some positive signs after embryo transfer.
- Implantation bleeding
- Tender or sore breasts
- Fatigue
- Increase basal body temperature (BBT)
- Changes in vaginal discharge
After about 5 days after embryo transfer, you might start feeling certain symptoms like implantation bleeding, mild abdominal cramps, breast tenderness, etc.
After embryo transfer, it is normal for you to experience certain pains like breast pain and abdominal and pelvic pain.
