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There are a variety of drug options available to induce fertility. WebMD reports that this method is still widely used for women who have ovulation disorders. Not only do they vary in kind or brand, but they vary in type as well. Some are taken orally while others are in shot form.
What’s interesting is that doctors will use fertility drugs even if the patient is undergoing a reproductive technique such as in vitro fertilization. Some drugs are more widely used than others. Below are some of the most common ones.
Oral Fertility Drug
Clomid is listed as the most likely first choice when it comes to treating infertility. It has been used for 25 years and has a 60 percent to 80 percent ovulation success rate. Reportedly, 50 percent of this percentage of women will get pregnant due to taking Clomid.
What exactly does this drug do? This drug stimulates the two small glands -- the hypothalamus and pituitary gland -- at the base of the brain to produce hormones that are responsible for kick starting the ovaries to produce eggs. And finally, although there are side effects, WebMD indicates that they are generally very mild.
Injectable Fertility Drugs
Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel and Profasi are brand names of just some of the most common human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injectable drugs that are used with other fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. There are other types of injectable drugs that are used as well -- follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist) and gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH antagonist).
There is no way anyone can remember all of that, but you’re more likely to remember that the purpose of these types of drugs is to generate and start ovulation -- which is why they are used to treat infertility. The success rate for the injections is high. WebMD reports that 50 percent of those that ovulate will get pregnant. And yes, there are side effects, but WebMD reports that they are usually mild.
Other Drugs
Studies indicate that in some situations, aspirin decreases the chances of having a miscarriage. But since aspirin cannot be used in all cases, there is a warning to only use this option if directed by your doctor.
Antagon is an injectable drug that prevents premature ovulation. The side effects vary from stomach pain, headaches to fetal death, so use only under the direct supervision of your doctor.
Resources:
Fertility Drugs for Women. BabyCenter.com. Web. 6 November 2011.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_fertility-drugs-for-women_4091.bc
Fertility Drugs. WebMD. Web. 6 November 2011.
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/fertility-drugs
Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer that that blogs about women’s issues and interests. Take a gander at:
http://redtoenails.wordpress.com/
Reviewed November 7, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith
Add a Comment1 Comments
Dietary supplements are not drugs, but are less costly options that work for many couples. My wife and I were introduced to a product (site removed as per guidelines]. We were saving up for IVF (my wife had PCOS, and I had MF), and tried it along the way. After 3 months we had our first positive pregnancy test. I think that the benefit of fertility supplements should be shared with everyone facing infertility. It is worth a shot.
November 9, 2011 - 12:12amThis Comment