The long-term health sequelae for women from assisted reproductive
technology (ART) have not been studied extensively. There are a number of
reasons that women's health may be compromised after ART procedures,
including the consequences of the increased incidence of multiple births,
operative deliveries, and preterm infants, the possible adverse effects of the
drug regimens used for ovarian stimulation, and the instrumentation involved
in ART procedures. In this paper we review the existing literature in these
areas. It emphasizes the effects of the drugs used for ovarian stimulation,
and in particular the incidence of cancer among women who have undergone ART.
The review indicates that there is cause for concern about the long-term
effects on women from ART treatments. It highlights the lack of research
undertaken in almost all areas related to women's long-term health after
ART. In the area of ART and cancer, it draws attention to the lack of
conclusive evidence in relation to the posited association between fertility
treatments and cancer, resulting from the limited number of very large studies
and the need for longer follow-up periods. We make a number of recommendations
regarding further research that is needed to address the current shortcomings
in the published literature.