Overview
If you’re having trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe some medications to address the issue(s) and/or support your IUI or IVF treatment cycle. There are medications that can help strengthen, regulate or induce ovulation, stimulate follicle production, and prevent/delay ovulation. There are drugs that can help prepare or support the endometrial lining, as well as antibiotics to prevent infection or other medications to reduce inflammation.
Whether you are just starting your treatment journey with a cycle of timed intercourse with clomiphene citrate, going through a medicated IUI cycle or are well into an IVF cycle, below is a list of medications you may encounter along the way.
Common Fertility Medications
*This is for general informational purposes only. Please use any medications prescribed to you by your doctor only as directed.
Ovulation-Inducing Medications for Females
Clomiphene Citrate (Brand Name: Clomid)- This nonsteroidal medication is taken orally for five days and works as a selective estrogen receptor modulator thereby increasing the amount of hormones that support the growth and development of a mature egg(s) leading to ovulation.
Letrozole- This drug is taken orally for five days and stops androgens in your body from converting into estrogen (an aromatase inhibitor), thus reducing the amount of estrogen in the body. When estrogen is blocked, the pituitary gland receives a message that it needs to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulates the ovary to produce an egg.
Gonadotropins
Gonadotropins are injectable hormones that stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles/eggs. The name gonadotropin comes from “gonad,” the physiological name for an ovary in females or testicle in males, and “tropin” meaning to release or stimulate. Gonadotropins are typically administered subcutaneously- injected into the subcutis, the layer of skin below the dermis and the epidermis. These help to produce follicles when ovulation is not occurring naturally, when a higher number of eggs are needed for artificial insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or when ovulation is being timed. Follistim, Gonal-f, and/or Menopur are the brands of gonadotropins that may be prescribed.
hCG Trigger- A trigger shot contains a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. hCG triggers an ovary to mature and release an egg. Brands of hCG we may prescribe are Pregnyl and Novarel.
Leuprolide Acetate or Lupron trigger- This medication inhibits LH surge to trigger ovulation instead of hCG. It is typically used if there is a concern about potential ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Ovulation Suppression Medications
Ovulation-suppression medications (antagon) keep the body from releasing developed eggs before they are ready. Many times they are used in addition to other hormones such as gonadotropins and hCG. Ganirelix or Cetrotide are two we may prescribe.
Uterine Lining Support Medications
Progesterone-Progesterone is a hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary. It is first detected in the middle of the menstrual cycle when an egg is released (ovulation). Progesterone prepares the uterine lining (endometrium) to allow a fertilized egg (embryo) to implant. During a medicated fertility cycle, medications are usually used to prevent premature ovulation. These medicines can affect progesterone levels. Therefore, a progesterone supplement may be prescribed to make up for this decrease in the ovary’s ability to make progesterone. Brands of progesterone that may be prescribed are: Crinone, Endometrin, or Progesterone in oil.
Estrogen Replacement- Estrogen replacement is used during a treatment cycle to improve the thickness of the uterine lining for an embryo to implant and to maintain the uterine environment for a pregnancy to grow. Brand of estrogen replacement medication- Estrace tablets.
Steroid-Methylprednisolone is a type of steroid prescribed to prevent inflammation of uterine lining and aid with implantation. A common brand is Medrol.
Other Medications/Supplements
During an IUI or IVF cycle, other medications may be needed to support the cycle.
Birth Control Pills: The pill helps regulate menstrual cycles and prepare the reproductive system for a fertility cycle.
Prenatal Vitamins: It is highly recommended that when beginning to try to conceive, take a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mg of folic acid.
Doxycycline/Antibiotics- Antibiotics are used to reduce the risk of infection following aspiration of the follicles at the time of egg retrieval.
Our patients are educated on the proper administration of all medications needed during their cycle. If you have any questions about your medications, cycle or would like to set up a consultation to discuss your options to become pregnant, please contact us.
