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Infertility Medications
Infertility medications stimulate the development and release of eggs from your ovaries.
Once the specific cause of infertility has been found and a diagnosis made, an appropriate treatment plan can be recommended. Not everyone receiving an infertility diagnosis chooses to pursue treatment. Some choose an alternate route to parenthood, such as adoption. Others may choose to live child-free. If you do decide to pursue medical treatment to increase your chances of pregnancy, you have a range of options available. Here you will find information about the various medical options available for infertility treatment.
- Clomiphene citrate—in tablet form, this medication may be used if you have infrequent periods or long menstrual cycles. The most common side effects are headaches, blurred vision, and hot flashes. Contact your doctor if you experience pelvic pain
- hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin)—may be used if treatment with clomiphene has not been effective. hMG is given in an injection. It stimulates eggs to mature in women whose ovaries are basically healthy, but are unable to develop eggs. It is not used for women who suffer from ovarian failure. hMG is also used to stimulate the production of follicles as part of IVF. hMG contains equal amounts of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Injection site reactions and discomfort are not likely to occur when you use hMG. The most common side effect is enlarged ovaries, which can cause abdominal pain. A rare but serious side effect is called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This occurs when too many follicles develop in response to the medication
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)—this medication, given in an injection, stimulates the natural hormone FSH. It is prescribed if treatment with clomiphene was not effective, especially for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). FSH stimulates eggs to mature in women whose ovaries are basically healthy, but are unable to develop eggs. It is not used for women with ovarian failure. FSH is also used to stimulate the production of multiple eggs for IVF. The most common side effect is enlarged ovaries, which can cause abdominal pain. OHSS is a rare but serious side effect
Other medications
- hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)—is used to stimulate egg release (ovulation) in women who do not ovulate and who do not have ovarian failure. It is injected once your follicles are developed and your eggs have matured during your cycle. Before receiving hCG, you must have also been treated with gonadotropins, such as hMG or FSH
- GnRH analogs—these medications are usually used with FSH, hMG, or hCG. This allows for every step of your follicle growth and ovulation to be controlled. They can be given by subcutaneous injection (under the skin). Some are also available in a nasal spray. Common side effects include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, headache, sleeplessness, mood swings, and reduced sex drive. However, these side effects usually go away once you begin treatment with FSH or hMG
Questions & Answers
Q. Why do I have to see my doctor so often?
A. Your doctor must monitor you closely to make sure that your follicles are developing properly and evaluate when you will be ready to ovulate. Your doctor will also be checking for possible side effects.
Q. What are the risks of ovulatory induction medications?
A. These medications may increase your chance for multiple births—which may increase the risks of miscarriage and premature delivery. Another risk is the development of ovarian cysts. A rare but serious side effect from treatment with menotropins and FSH is OHSS. Symptoms may include severe pain in the pelvis, abdomen, and chest, nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight gain, and difficulty breathing. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms. Dehydration may also occur, increasing the risk of a blood clot.
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