Fertility drugs treatment can solve infertility issues in many instances and increase the possibility conceive and carrying the offspring for full-term. However, a patient needs to consult with a doctor to get the right prescription medication.
Different types of fertility drugs are available and each has a specific activity. Diagnosis of infertility is essential to get effective results from fertility drugs treatment. But it is not always true that taking fertility drugs gives a positive outcome of pregnancy.
Currently, women are facing difficulty to conceive at their reproductive age. Both males and females have an equal scope of infertility problems. Doctors recommend fertility drugs if the female partner faces difficulty conceiving even after regular unprotected intercourse for one year. Fertility drugs are also prescribed for repetitive miscarriage issues.
The impact of fertility drugs on the reproductive system is depending upon the mechanism of action of the medications. Some fertility drugs induce ovulation in patients with irregular ovulation issues. Some fertility drugs are hormonal treatments necessary to take before artificial insemination.
Types of fertility drugs
Drugs that induce ovulation: Following are the drugs available for treating irregular ovulation.
Metformin (Glucophage): This is a common prescription medication for diabetic patients. Metformin can reduce insulin resistance. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually have a BMI of more than 35 because of insulin resistance and which causes irregular ovulation.
Dopamine agonists: These drugs can decline prolactin hormone levels. In some women, having too much prolactin causes irregular ovulation.
Clomiphene (Clomid): This drug can induce ovulation. This is considered a front-line treatment for women with ovulation difficulties.
Letrozole (Femara): Like clomiphene, letrozole can activate ovulation. letrozole may work better for obese women with PCOS.
Gonadotropins: Gonadotropins are a type of hormonal treatment that stimulates ovarian activity. Follicle-stimulating hormone and a luteinizing hormone are under this group of the hormone. The doctor recommends this treatment when other treatments unable to give an effective result. Injection and nasal spray are two dosage forms of this medication.
In many cases, the reason for infertility is not clear. Unexplained infertility can be treated with artificial insemination. Hormone treatment is an essential part of artificial insemination.
Hormones before artificial insemination
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and In vitro fertilization (IVF) are two established assisted reproductive technologies that involve artificial insemination.
IUI is recommended for infertile couples who have an issue with the cervical mucus or the mobility of the sperm. IUI is also recommended when the doctor unable to identify the reason for infertility. Following are the medication recommended by the doctor before starts the IUI procedure:
Ovulation drugs: Clomiphene or letrozole can stimulate ovulation and may help to release extra eggs.
Ovulation trigger: human chorionic
Gonadotropin (hCG) triggers ovulation as timing is an important factor.
Progesterone: This hormone helps to sustain early pregnancy. This drug is usually administered through a vaginal suppository.
The IVF involves artificial fertilization in a petri dish by removing one or more eggs with sperm. After the formation of the embryo, the doctor implants a healthy embryo into the uterus of the intended mother or surrogate. IVF treatment requires the following drugs such as
Ovulation suppression: gonadotropin antagonist hormone is prescribed to prevent early ovulation so that it helps to promote IVF by matching with the timing.
Ovulation drugs: A doctor will prescribe clomiphene or letrozole to release several eggs to get a successful result in IVF treatment.
Ovulation trigger shot: Ovulation requires a trigger shot with the hormone hCG for getting better results in IVF.
Progesterone: Progesterone provides early pregnancy support in women who have undergone the IVF process.
Side effects Impact
Fertility drugs have a negative impact also that are recognized as a side effect of the treatment. Hormonal drugs have more significant side effects. Following are common side effects of fertility drugs.
Mood alterations like mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
Nausea, vomiting, cramps, headache, and breast tenderness are some temporary physiological side effects
ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
multiple births
increased threat of pregnancy loss
Scientific evidence reported that certain fertility drugs could enhance the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers compared with others.
Reference:
medical news today
