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Infertility

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Phantom smell - ivf/pregnancy hormones?

3 replies

sisterdaughter · 14/09/2025 22:48

im just wondering if anyone else has had this. To start off, I’ve been ttc 4/5 years. Two spontaneous pregnancies and miscarriages to match, and just had 4th round ivf, currently with a day 3 embryo on board.

Anyway, I first noticed a strong sort of chemical taste/smell not long after failed ivf 1, in the very next cycle had a spontaneous pregnancy and then mc at 10 weeks. So fairly huge hormonal changes in a short space of time (I’m a “maximum protocol minimum eggs” kinda gal). All that time the smell was coming in and out. I thought it was the room at first, but it’s not like a smell from sniffing the air but more a fairly strong taste smell sensation that comes and goes. Ever since then (about a year ago that has included three more round and two back to back cancelled rounds, and a drawn out ectopic pregnancy, so a shitload of hormones in a short space of time) I’ve had the smell on and off intermittently. In different places too, like different homes, it can’t be something real. I imagine a dr would just palm me off as per “you’re stressed you’ve been through a lot there’s no need to take you seriously” but I thought I’d ask if anyone else has experienced similar, if it lifted, or if (as the intent likes to darkly hint) it could be something more sinister (though I’m not worried, just curious).

OP posts:
sisterdaughter · 14/09/2025 22:49

God it reads like an ivf version of the yellow wallpaper.

OP posts:
Miraclemuma03 · 18/09/2025 02:01

Did you get sick at all during this time? Has the smell only been when you are pregnant or taking the hormones. ?

sisterdaughter · 18/10/2025 10:51

Oh sorry @Miraclemuma03 i never saw your reply, I gave up on the post after a few days. I haven’t been ill in ages. I used to think it was related to pregnancy but then I’m (very very) early preg right now and not a whif. It must be the hormone injections? I’ll try keep a little diary. Obvs it’s not a common thing or others would have replied!

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