Fertility Drugs

Many infertility treatments begin with women taking fertility drugs to induce ovulation, stimulate their ovaries to produce more eggs and to synchronize their menstrual cycles.

Fertility drugs are used to control female progesterone levels and the levels of the hormones LH and FSH. 

Lupron

Leuprolide, commonly known by the brand name Lupron, is commonly prescribed before IVF treatment cycles to control the timing of ovulation. Specialists use the fertility drug to control the release of LH and FSH hormones which induce ovulation. 

Clomid

Clomiphene Citrate is used to stimulate egg production in the ovaries. The medication has been proven t increase the rate of ovulation by 65%.

hCG

If Clomid is unsuccessful after three cycles, doctors may advise combining Clomid with hCG injections. hCG is a hormone produced naturally by the body to encourage vital progesterone production during pregnancy.

Risks of Fertility Drugs

Medication prescribed to assist with fertility treatment is considered safe and there are few side effects or risks to taking fertility drugs.

The use of fertility drugs and IVF treatment increases the rate of multiple pregnancies by 5%.

In rare cases, women prescribed ovary stimulating medication suffer from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition causing the ovaries to swell and in severe cases, leak fluid into the abdomen and lungs.

Side Effects of Fertility Drugs

Medication prescribed to assist with fertility treatment is considered safe and there are few side effects or risks to taking fertility drugs.

 Side effects that can occur from fertility drugs Clomid and Lupron are:

• hot flushes
• weight gain
• migraine

The use of fertility drugs with IVF treatment increases the rate of multiple pregnancies by 5%. The risk of multiple pregnancy can be reduced by transferring fewer embryos in embryo transfer procedures.

In rare cases, women prescribed ovary stimulating medication suffer from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition causing the ovaries to swell and in severe cases, leak fluid into the abdomen and lungs.