Medications for Infertility; educate yourself
As an infertility newbie, I've been doing a lot of research on the basics of both diagnostics and treatments. After looking at the basics of fertility treatments, I think I'm ready to delve into some more specifics; specifically medications used to treat infertility.
Women who have long menstrual cycles or infrequent periods often need a medication to stimulate the ovaries
Clomiphene citrate (also known as Clomid® or Serophene®) is an oral tablet
Synthetic human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is an intramuscular injection used to "induce the final maturational changes in eggs" and ready them for removal from the body. Common hCG medications are Pregnyl®, Profasi® and Novarel®
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is subcutaneous injection that bypasses the pituitary and hypothalamus glands to stimulate follicle growth within the ovaries. Common FSH medications are Fertinex®, Follistim®, and Gonal-F®
Human menopausa gonadotropins (hMG) is another injectable medication containing equal parts FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) which is given to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in each cycle. These are the most potent ovulation medications used on the US market today. Common hMG medications include Humegon®, Pergonal®, and Repronex®
Bromocriptine and cabergoline are both oral medications which reduce prolactin - a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland which stimulates the growth of mammary glands. Parlodel® and Dostinex® are the respective brand names.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is an injection which is used to stimulate an underactive pituitary gland. This medication is an encouragement for the gland to produce LH and FSH. Common names for this hormone are Factrel® and Lutrepulse®
Women who are known to ovulate early or irregularly often need a medication to prevent premature ovulation
GnRH Agonists (analogs) include Lupron® and Zoladex® and Synarel®. The first two options are injected below the skin while the latter is a nasal spray. These are used to encourage the body to produce a higher number of quality eggs. They are also used to prevent the mid-cycle hormonal surge which can "cancel out" a menstrual cycle.
GnRH Antagonists operate as antagonists of the gonadotropin causing the hormone (GnRH) to be release to help prevent premature ovulation. Essentially this cancels out the hormone which causes premature ovulation. Antagon® and Cetrotide® are both common injections administered for three to four days at a time.
There are a few other medications which are used to enhance fertility treatments.
Medrol is a four-day-long daily steroid provide to assist with pre-embryo implantation.
Doxycline is an oral antibiotic given to the male partner during a female's "stimulation cycle" to reduce the bacteria level found in his semen. This antibiotic can also be given to the female to prevent infection after follicle aspiration.
Intramuscular injections, a vaginal gel, a suppository or a pill of progesterone may be given daily two days after egg retrieval and continue until the placenta creates it's own appropriate amount of progesterone.
Please keep in mind that all fertility medications have their potential side effects.
Some of these side effects can be (but are not limited to):
increased incidence of multiple birth
increased incidence of miscarriage
increased incidence of premature birth
weight gain (thanks Cathy!)
hot flashes
nausea
nasal congestion
breast tenderness
depression
mood swings
headaches
dizziness
fainting
insomnia
vaginal dryness (which can lead to painful intercourse)
bone loss
decreased breast size
decreased blood pressure
blurred vision
ovarian cysts
pelvic discomfort
hyperstimulation syndrome (enlarged ovaries, abdominal pain and bloating)
swelling or rash at injection site (if applicable)
Do you have any personal experience with these medications? Which fertility drugs have you heard of before? Are any of these news to you?
Tags: antagon, cetrotide, clomid, dostinex, doxycline, factrel, fertility, fertility medication, fertility treatments, fertinex
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Finally_a_Mom on -
I think one of the number one side effects is weight gain and that is not on the list above. But, I do agree with the majority of the side effects you listed based on years of personal experience.
Cathy
© 2009 Created by Marie
