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Fertility drugs

Useful information on the three main types of fertility drugs used to promote ovulation and thus increase the chances of conception, including hMG and Clomiphene.


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Fertility drugs work by stimulating hormones in a woman's brain to get an egg ready and release it from her ovaries each month, thus promoting ovulation. Many fertility drugs have been used safely and successfully for more than 30 years. Unlike many other infertility solutions, such as in vitro fertilisation, fertility drugs will not increase the chance of multiple births beyond 5 to 15 percent. The most common fertility drugs include Clomiphene, Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin, and Bromocriptine.

Clomiphene, taken in pill form daily, stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle-stimulating hormones, which are the hormones that trigger ovulation. It prompts the ovaries to prepare a number of eggs for ovulation. Once the drug cycle is finished, the hypothalamus gland releases a lutenizing hormone, which instructs the ovaries to release a mature egg from its follicle to the Fallopian Tubes. Women who ovulate irregularly or not at all commonly use Clomiphene. Clomiphene can cause a wide range of side effects, including mood swings, dry cervical mucus, mild ovarian enlargement, stomach pain, breast and ovarian cancer. About 70 to 90 percent of women who take Clomiphene will ovulate, and of those who ovulate, 20 to 60 percent will get pregnant.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) consists of purified follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). When injected into the body, FSH causes a woman to develop egg follicles. After seven to twelve days of shots, the woman receives an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin that stimulates the ovaries to release the egg or eggs it has just developed. HMG is most often given to women with low oestrogen levels who have not responded to Clomiphene. Possible side effects from hMG include abdominal tenderness and weight gain. In rare cases, less than 5 percent of the time, women develop hyper stimulated ovaries, a potentially fatal condition signalled by sudden onset of severe pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, or weight gain. Due to an excessive number of eggs, the ovaries rapidly swell to several times their size and may leak fluid into the abdominal cavity. Even with careful monitoring, multiple pregnancies and ovarian hyper stimulation can occur. The rate of multiple births is close to 20 percent. About 70 to 90 percent of women who take hGM will ovulate, and of those who ovulate, 20 to 60 percent will get pregnant.

Bromocriptine, which can be taken orally or as a vaginal pill, reduces the pituitary gland's production of the hormone prolactin. Excess prolactin reduces oestrogen levels and inhibits ovulation. Women who take Bromocriptine usually suffer from hyperprolactinemic amenorrhea, which is a condition where ovulation problems are caused by a pituitary adenoma (a benign tumour). Side effects from Bromocriptine include nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, and headaches. Patients who take the drug vaginally often report fewer side effects. 90 percent of the women who take Bromocriptine will ovulate as long as they continue taking the drug. Of the women who ovulate, 65 to 85 percent will get pregnant.

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Hi I was on the depo injection and came off it 2.5 years ago. I have still not regained my periods and stopped ovulating, even though i had no problems before i started the depo. My husband and i have tried for a long time to get pregnant using clomifene but had no luck. I responded to my daily injections within a week and a half and I had my first IUI done on 12th October and am going in for a pregnancy blood test on Monday (26th October). Very nervous as i dont want to get too excited incase it's a negative result. I have very tender boobs, cramping and sometimes feel slightly dizzy but not sure if these symptoms are just caused by the two HCG injections I have taken after IUI. How early can you start getting symptoms? Anyone having the same sort of experience?
added by Drekie [Thu 22nd Oct 2009 @ 09:19:37]
where do you get these drugs from does anyone know? and do they work?
added by elle4dan [Fri 4th Sep 2009 @ 10:33:05]
if i want to be pragnent then then what should i do for stopping my periods/ what should i eat and what i have to not do this time/ what are the instructions about this matter? i need pragnancy/ but periods comes in month and finished everythings please tell me what is forbidden for me not to eat and tell me more about this matter please/ kindely request it sombody help me
added by 9838614128 [Mon 10th Aug 2009 @ 09:26:28]
GOOD LUCK EVEYONE :)
added by ShareenElliisBabyx [Mon 8th Jun 2009 @ 09:42:29]
I recently started ovulation induction shots to get pregnant. I was giving myself a shot every night of Follistim, is anyone else familiar with this medication? I am now waiting 2 weeks before I can take a pregnancy test (doctors orders) thay don't want me to get a false positive. Its killing me to wait but Im hoping and praying that I am because the medication is very expensive and lucky for me I got to do it for free the frist time around as a trial study, we won't be able to try again for awhile if I am not. We will have to save up for it. I need everyones prayers
added by weddingbliss [Thu 14th May 2009 @ 09:43:06]
i was taking 100mg of clomid a day for five days for three months and then my cycles stopped again. I upped the dose to 150 a day and my new consultant told me that if it didn't work after 3 cycles it wasn't for me. I am now starting the gonal f injections this month. hope this helps
added by katrinamc [Mon 20th Apr 2009 @ 09:33:02]
I have been using clomiphene from Iwas 29 years old Iam now 32 years old I have changed partners I still cannot get pregnant I am depressed Ionly menstrate for three days. I have now missed my periods but I am afraid to do the pregnancy test in case Imight be disapointed again.
added by nugzy [Wed 1st Apr 2009 @ 09:42:00]
HI,
Does anyone knows how long a treatment on clomiphene will take to be effective and be able to conceive. your reply will be highly appreciated.
added by tayo [Tue 16th Sep 2008 @ 09:00:45]
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