Gonadotropins are medications that are used in combination with infertility treatments. They work by stimulating follicle development. This increases the number of follicles that will develop. Gonadotropins are used in nearly every method of infertility treatment.
These medications are sold under the brand names Gonal-F, Follistim and Metrodin. They have replaced the older medications, such as Humegon and Pergonal. The medication is delivered via intramuscular injection.
The treatment involves being injected with the medication each day for between seven and ten days. During this time, you will be monitored with blood work and ultrasound. Your infertility specialist will monitor the growing follicles and adjust your medication and number of days as needed.
Once the follicles are fully developed, an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) to stimulate the ovaries to release the eggs. The eggs will be released about 48 hours later. Procedures will be scheduled according to this time frame and the treatment being used with the medication.
The success rate of these medications depends on a variety of factors. One is the procedure being used and another is the individual woman’s case. About 70 percent of women will produce follicles during treatment. The successful pregnancy rate ranges from twenty to fifty percent.
Your doctor will make the best choice based on your history, reason for the infertility and procedures being done. The doctor will explain how the medication works and give your partner a crash course in administering it. At this visit, you can ask any questions you have about the medication being used.
As you are undergoing treatment, your doctor will monitor you for side effects of the medication. The biggest side effect is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. This is caused by the ovaries being overstimulated with the medication. Most cases are mild and resolve with the next menstrual cycle.
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