Knowing Your Fertility Medications

There are a number of different kinds of fertility medications that can be prescribed to you by your doctor for you to have a better chance of having a child of your own. Some fertility medications are taken orally and some are injected. Overall, the main function of these fertility medications is to initiate the release of hormones that can trigger or regulate ovulation. Below are some commonly prescribed fertility medications:

1. Clomifene citrate (Clomid). This type of medication is given to women who do not ovulate normally as it stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. It is taken in pill form from days two and six of the cycle. About 60% to 80% of women who take this drug will ovulate and about half will get pregnant. Seeing that the ovaries are stimulated artificially to produce  more eggs, the chances of having twins become higher. There are some side effects to deal with such as nausea, bloating, blurred vision, and headaches.
2. Metformin. This drug is prescribed to treat polycystic ovary syndrome and is taken orally about two to three times a day.
3. Gonadotropins (hormones containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) or a mix of both. These fertility medications are recommended next when Clomid is not successful on its own and are administered through injections. The most common side effects include tenderness, swelling, or bruising at the injection area. There is also the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation which can lead to enlarged and tender ovaries.
   • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. hCG is sold as  Novarel, Ovidrel, Pregnyl and Profasi. This drug is used to help the development of an egg in a woman’s ovary and stimulate the release of mature eggs.
   • Follicle Stimulating Hormone. FSH is also known under the following brand names: Bravelle, Follistim, and Gonal-F. The main purpose of this drug is to regulate the function of the ovaries and stimulates the development and growth of eggs in the ovaries.
   • Human Menopausal Gonadotropin. This drug combines both FSH and LSH or luteinizing hormone. This drug stimulates the ovaries to trigger ovulation and aid in the production of one or more eggs. These are better known as Menopur, Pergonal and Repronex.
   • Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone or GnRH. This hormone stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland.
   • Other commonly prescribed fertility medications include Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH agonist) like Synarel, Zoladex and Lupron as well as Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist (GnRH antagonist) like Antagon and Cetrotide.
4. Ganirelix Acetate (Antagon). This is another kind of injectable fertility medication that is used to inhibit ovulation in women undergoing specific fertility procedures. Stomach pain, headache and fetal death are some of its side effects.