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 as listed by WebMD.
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. Half of this percentage of women will get pregnant as a direct result of this drug.
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 release hormones that are responsible for kick-starting the ovaries to produce eggs. Although there are side effects, 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 release 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 they are usually mild.
Other Drugs
Studies indicate that in some situations, aspirin reduces the risks of miscarriages. 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 injected 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.
Resource: WebMD
Dita Faulkner is a freelance writer that is an advocate for at-risk families in Tennessee.