Couples that have been trying to conceive for 12 months unsuccessfully while not using contraceptives are considered to be infertile. There are a wide variety of drugs available to help a couple conceive a child, and in this article we’ll take a look at two of the most commonly used ones.
Fertility drugs are the primary treatment for women with ovulation disorders. Some are taken orally, and some must be injected. They cause the release of hormones that trigger and regulate ovulation. They are also used with assisted reproductive techniques, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) or gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT).
Clomiphene Citrate is one of the most commonly used fertility drugs. It is also known by the brand names Clomid, Milophene and Serophene. It is taken orally for 5 consecutive days early in the menstrual cycle. Most women will take it for 3 to 6 months. It has not proven to be effective past the six month point. Clomiphene works by stimulating the release of hormones needed to cause ovulation. The side effects of Clomiphene include ovarian hyper stimulation, hot flashes, irritability, nausea, abdominal pain, headaches, thick cervical mucus, breast tenderness, blurred vision and hair loss. There is also a 5-8% chance of a multiple pregnancy when taking Clomiphene.
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) is another common fertility drug. It contains luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone, both of which are needed to help trigger ovulation. These hormones are found in the urine of postmenopausal women. hMG is taken as an injection for 7-12 days, at which point a shot of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is given to tell the ovaries to release mature eggs. It is taken for up to 6 months and is administered through injection. Side effects of hMG are an increased chance of miscarriage, ovarian enlargement, ovarian hyper stimulation, headache and abdominal pain. As with clomiphene, there is also an increased chance of multiple pregnancy.
The same drugs that are used to treat infertility in women can also be used to treat infertility in men. They do not perform as well and are only about one third as effective. Also, they have not been approved by the FDA for use in men, but a specialist can prescribe them. It is worth noting that these drugs only help men with certain hormonal imbalances, such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The drugs stimulate the same hormones in men as in women, which help men to produce more sperm.
While these drugs may not work for every couple that is trying to conceive, they are a good choice as a first treatment as they are cheaper and less invasive than other alternatives. As with any drug, you should ensure that you understand the uses, risks and side effects before taking them. Always consult your doctor before taking medication of any kind.
