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Medications Use in Infertility
Medications before stimulation
Oral contraceptive pills
This medication is a kind of birth control pills. By using this pill before ovarian stimulation:
- The follicles are likely to grow at a similar rate which leads to greater number of follicles being mature at the same time and therefore increases the number of eggs that are retrieved.
- It also allows the clinic to schedule your treatment effectively and give us the ability to arrange your cycle so that it doesn’t interfere with your business trip or vacation.
- It also decreases the chance of developing ovarian cysts prior starting the stimulation.
Clomiphene
This oral medication cause the pituitary gland to increase the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Increased level of FSH will stimulate the ovary to produce more follicles.
Estradiol
This oral medication can effectively prevent inter-cycle increase in FSH, improve follicle synchronization and eventually result in more coordinated follicular development.
Medications that stop the release of egg
GnRH antagonist
This injection prevents ovulation during IVF/ICSI cycle by suppressing the pituitary gland from producing FSH and LH so that ovulation does not occur and it gives the eggs time to develop properly.
GnRH agonist
This drug prevents ovulation in IVF/ICSI cycle. They work by initially stimulating then suppressing the pituitary gland’s production of hormones FSH and LH so that ovulation does not occur which allows the eggs to mature properly.
Medications that stimulate eggs development
Gonadotrophin
These medications contain FSH, LH or a combination of both. They are used to increase the number of growing follicles and stimulate their development.
Medications that trigger the release of eggs
Human chorionic gonadotropin
This medication contains the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin which completes the final maturation of the eggs and to trigger ovulation. It is often referred to as “trigger” injection to assist with ovulation.
Medication that support the implantation of the embryo
Progesterone
These medications are used to prepare the lining of the uterus for the implantation of the embryo.