Fertility
Think you have IVF brain fog? It’s a real thing – and here’s what you can do about it
Holly Pigache | 13 Aug 2024
Is IVF brain fog a thing? What does it mean? And how can I stop it from happening?
Here at TRB, we know from very personal experience that injecting IVF stimulation hormones each day (sometimes twice a day, actually) is no small thing.
You can experience IVF bloating – peep our expert guide on how to reduce it after egg collection – IVF constipation, bruising from injections, mood swings, and all sorts of emotions as you navigate. And to top it all off, you might find yourself forgetting things too.
When you’re trying to keep track of when to inject and which hormones you might need to take with you out to dinner, the last thing you need is to start losing track of what’s what.
But that’s exactly what happened to me – and many other women talk of experiencing a “brain fog” during IVF, too.
Brain fog – one of the lesser discussed IVF side effects
Let me start by saying I’m a very organised person. In fact, friends and family consider me to be anally organised so I felt confident (perhaps read: cocky) when I first spoke to the nurses at the fertility clinic about what drugs to take and when.
With the upcoming weeks perfectly planned out, and a few social occasions cancelled so I wouldn’t be tempted to have a small glass of wine, I was prepped and ready to jab, jab, jab.
Until, of course, I found the injections affected my brain. In quite a big way.
Watch next: IVF stim lengths – why and how can they vary?
Does IVF give you brain fog?
Yes, many people experience brain fog during IVF. The combination of intense hormonal changes, emotional stress, and disrupted sleep can leave you feeling forgetful, unfocused, and mentally drained. This can manifest as trouble concentrating, misplacing things (hello, that was me!), or struggling to process information as quickly as usual.
IVF medications, particularly those that alter estrogen and progesterone levels, can contribute to cognitive difficulties. Research suggests that hormonal fluctuations impact brain function, affecting memory and mental clarity. Additionally, the emotional toll of fertility treatment, alongside physical side effects like fatigue and headaches, can worsen brain fog.
While frustrating, IVF-related brain fog is usually temporary. Managing stress, prioritizing rest, staying hydrated, and maintaining a balanced diet can help improve mental clarity. If brain fog becomes overwhelming or persists beyond treatment, speaking to a doctor may help identify additional support options.
My IVF brain fog experience
On one memorable occasion, I drove an hour to my parents’ house, feeling confident I’d packed everything I needed for the next few days—including my IVF meds.
But when I got there, I couldn’t find my Fyremadel for the next morning. Frustrated, I jumped back in the car, drove an hour home, grabbed the needle, and drove wearily back to my parents’.
Why didn’t I just stay home? Because I had a 7:45 AM clinic appointment, and no one wants to battle rush-hour traffic on a Monday morning.
And—you probably see where this is going—when I got back, I found another Fyremadel needle in my handbag. It had been with me the whole time, making the entire trip completely unnecessary.
Sure, you could say this was avoidable if I’d checked my bag properly, but that’s the thing about IVF brain fog—it tricks you into thinking you already have. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and relentless.
Drained, annoyed, and more than ready to be done with IVF meds, I went straight to bed.
What causes IVF brain fog?
IVF brain fog is thought to happen for a couple of different reasons. These might include:
1. Hormonal changes
There’s a lot going on in your body hormonally during IVF. Studies have shown that increased progesterone levels can cause fatigue, and estrogen imbalance is said to contribute to cloudy thinking and brain fog.
2. Medication side effects
Some IVF medications can cause side effects such as nausea, tiredness, increased emotions and mood swings, all of which can contribute to not feeling your best.
3. Stress and anxiety
IVF stress can run high when you’re going through a cycle, and there are many moving parts – including financing treatment, fear of failed attempts, and juggling all of your work and life obligations.
In a nutshell – it is a combination of these factors that is thought to cause brain fog, and similar feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion during treatment.
Does IVF medication make you forgetful?
While there’s no hard evidence that IVF medication makes people forgetful, some of us are hit with mild to severe side effects, as we’ve mentioned above.
Side effects really should be temporary, although early pregnancy symptoms can be very similar, making it super-confusing during that two week wait period.
If you’re at all worried by your side effects, do make sure you speak to your fertility clinic or doctor right away.
5 ways to manage IVF brain fog (from someone who’s been there)
Whilst everyone is different, these were the tips and tricks I leant on to help lighten the load.
- Try to mindfully limit the activities you do. Whilst isolating yourself completely is rarely the best course of action, only show up for what you feel like you can manage, and be forgiving to yourself and others in the process.
- Make lists. You can write notes on your phone, send yourself voice notes or set alarms – whatever helps you remember things.
- Organise your meds. Keep your hormone injections in the same place in your house – hello, fancy new medication station – and label each one. You could even arrange them by dosage and schedule.
- Take your shots at the same time each day. You’ll usually be told to do this by your fertility team anyway, so make sure you do.
- Remember, this is temporary. The hormone injections will stop, the fog will clear and you’ll eventually feel like yourself again.
This isn’t a perfect fix-all plan – you’ll still probably find yourself in the odd emotional trough, or foggy moment – and I’d say the real key thing here is to be gentle with yourself. You’re having IVF, and you’re rocking it. Remember to cut yourself some slack now and then.
