Becoming pregnant can prove to be difficult for some women and couples. It’s estimated that 12% to 15% of couples have trouble getting pregnant. Infertility, or the inability to conceive, can be due to several contributing factors for both women and men, including health conditions, age, hormone levels, lifestyle choices, and more.
Thankfully, these individuals may still be able to achieve their dream of parenthood with the assistance of fertility medications, including injectable fertility medications. Discover more about common fertility medicines and potential side effects. Learn the role they play in increasing the chances of pregnancy when used in combination with other infertility treatments.
Essential Fertility Medications
Fertility drugs are medications that help women and men who are having trouble becoming pregnant naturally. They work by stimulating or regulating follicular growth and ovulation, similar to how the natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released by the brain to stimulate the ovaries.
Although fertility medications can be used as a standalone infertility treatment, they are often used in conjunction with other infertility procedures, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Fertility medications may be recommended for women suffering from infertility caused by ovulation disorders, hormone imbalances, diminished ovarian reserve, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or other causes of infertility.
The Leading Drugs for Pregnancy Success
There are several kinds of fertility drugs available for aspiring parents who are unable to become pregnant because of infertility. Qualified healthcare professionals can help you determine which fertility drug is right for you by considering your medical history and family-building goals.
Ovulation is necessary for successful conception. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, a mature egg is released by one of the ovaries, picked up by the fallopian tube, and awaits to be fertilized by sperm. Some women experience limited egg production, decreasing the likelihood of pregnancy.
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole (Femara) are common drugs used to treat infertility that can help stimulate the ovaries and increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. This type of fertility medication is administered orally, typically once a day for five days, beginning on or about day three of the cycle.
Letrozole is most known for treating early breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause, but it is also used as a fertility treatment. It is an aromatase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme that helps the body produce estrogen. The brain senses decreased estrogen levels and increases the production of FSH, which stimulates follicles in the ovaries to grow. This can also help to promote ovulation. Letrozole is a common medication used to treat PCOS.
Gonadotropins are the other most commonly used fertility medications. This infertility treatment involves injectable medications that contain FSH and/or LH. Gonadotropins work directly on the ovaries to produce multiple follicles, which helps to promote fertility. Men with low sperm counts may also benefit from gonadotropins.
Other common medications used during fertility treatment include:
- Metformin: Used to treat infertility caused by insulin resistance, especially in women with PCOS
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) and Lupron: Trigger a woman’s ovaries to ovulate or release viable eggs (e.g., Novarel, Ovidrel, and Pregnyl)
- GnRH Agonists: Injections like Lupron and Zoladex, or a nasal spray like Synarel, that help the body recruit more quality eggs evenly
- Bromocriptine and Cabergoline: An oral medication used to treat infertility caused by high levels of prolactin, also known as hyperprolactinemia
- Progesterone: Prescribed with embryo transfer to ensure the uterine lining is optimal for implantation and to support early pregnancy
Achieving High Success Rates with Fertility Medications
To maximize the chances of pregnancy, fertility medications are typically used in conjunction with other treatment options, such as IUI and IVF. The success rates of fertility medications vary depending on the type of medication, the person’s age, and the cause of infertility.
Understanding Side Effects and Risks
As beneficial as fertility medications can be, like any prescription drug, there are inherent risks and potential side effects that can follow. Side effects are generally mild, temporary, and easily managed.
A patient using fertility drugs may experience the following:
- Injection site reactions
- Nasal irritation
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Ectopic pregnancy
A rare but serious side effect of fertility drugs is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This can lead to swollen and painful ovaries, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Empowering Choices with Professional Guidance
Men, women, and couples who are having trouble naturally becoming pregnant do have options. The fertility specialists at RMA Network offer advanced treatment options, including fertility testing, fertility medications, and more. If you wish to learn more, contact us to request an appointment for your first visit.
