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Fertility drugs are medications that can effectively influence the ovulation process. These drugs would trigger or strengthen ovulation and others would suppress ovulation. Fertility drugs can be taken by both men and women to enhance their fertility rate. Generally, these drugs would treat the problems arising as a result of ovulation. But in some cases, the woman may not be suffering from ovulatory problems while her partner may have fertility issues. In this case, there is a need for women to go for In-vitro fertilization treatment. Here also the fertility drugs play an important role by increasing the production of eggs in a woman’s body, which are retrieved later for treatment.
The most commonly prescribed fertility drugs are Serophene, Clomid, Femera, Follistim, Gonal F, Fertinex, Bravelle, Ovidrel, Pregnyl, Novarel, Menopur, Pergonal, Repronex, Humegon, Zoladex, Lupron, and Cetrotide.
Clomid is a fertility drug that helps in treating ovulatory dysfunction in women. The side effects like ovulation hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and multiple pregnancies are minimal when compared to other fertility drugs.
Femera or commonly referred to as Letrozole is not an actual fertility drug but is intended for inducing ovulation. This drug should be taken prior to pregnancy and strictly restricted during pregnancy as it would be risky for the baby.
Gonal F & Follistim is a type of fertility drug that mimics the FSH hormone in women’s bodies. These drugs are made by utilizing recombinant DNA technology. FSH hormone would tell oocytes present in ovaries to grow & mature. These drugs can be taken through injection and are extensively used in IUI or IVF treatments.
Fertinex, Bravelle are classified as hormonal fertility medicines which stimulate FSH hormone. The hormone is purified and extracted from post-menopausal women’s urine. These are less potent when compared to Follistim or Gonal F drugs. The drugs can be taken at home by couples via injection.
Pregnyl, Novarel, and Ovidrel are special fertility drugs that imitate the LH hormone in women’s bodies. LH hormone is responsible to trigger ovulation. These inject-able drugs are made up of HCG that is extracted from pregnant women’s urine. The drugs are extensively used in FSH, IUI, and IVF treatments.
Cetrotide and Antagon are fertility drugs that act against the FSH & LH hormones in women’s bodies, thereby suppressing ovulation. These drugs are grouped under GnRH antagonists. The medicines are used in In-vitro fertilization treatment to prevent eggs from being lost or ovulation before their retrieval.
Zoladex, Synarel, and Lupron are fertility drugs and are referred to as GnRH agonists. These drugs cause an early surge in LH and FSH production. Later they help in stopping the production of LH, FSH hormones limiting estrogen amount, and stopping ovulation.
Menopur, Humegon, and Pergonal are fertility drugs that are a combination of FSH & LH hormones. These drugs are also referred to as HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotrophins). These inject-able medicines are used in special cases.
With the usage of fertility drugs, there are several associated risks like multiple pregnancies and OHSS. Multiple pregnancies would result in the birth of twins or triplets as a result of using fertility medicines. OHSS can happen when ovaries get overstimulated and become large as a result of too much filling of fluid. When this fluid is released alongside ovulation could lead to serious problems and hence limits the chance of pregnancy in women.
