 Infertility is described as the inability to conceive a baby within one year of trying. Infertility does not necessarily mean that conceiving a child is impossible. There are many possible treatments for infertility including fertility medications, surgery, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). The specific treatment depends on the cause or causes of the infertility, the age of the couple, how long the couple has been trying to get pregnant, and how much treatment the couple is willing to endure. For females whose cause of infertility is due to problems with ovulation, fertility drugs are the first treatment of choice. Common fertility medications include the following: Clomiphene (brand names Clomid, Serophene) – These drugs work by stimulating ovulation. Side effects include multiple fetuses, dizziness, flushing, headache, upset stomach, and blurred vision. Progesterone (Prometrium, Progest) – These drugs help to bring about menstrual periods in women whose bodies are not producing enough of the natural hormone. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, headache, irritability, tiredness, and mood swings. Bromocriptine (Parlodel) and cabergoline (Dostinex) – These medications help women who are unable to menstruate or ovulate. Side effects include headache, dizziness, upset stomach, facial swelling, and fatigue. Menotrophin/Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Pergonal, Repronex) – These medications stimulate the ovaries and contain both FSH and LH. Side effects include bloating, upset stomach, pelvic pain, and weight gain. Human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG (Pregnyl, Ovidrel) – These drugs stimulate ovulation. Side effects include nausea and vomiting, rash, weight gain, difficulty breathing, and stomach bloat. Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Follistim, Bravelle, Gonal-F) – These drugs stimulate follicle and egg production. Side effects include stomach pain, weight gain, nausea, and vomiting. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists (Antagon, Cetrotide) - GnRH antagonists prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women undergoing the fertility procedure of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Only you and your doctor can determine what the best treatment is for you Sources:
Diseases and Conditions, "Infertility." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 2/13/2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.Medline Plus. Medline, 2007.Women's Health Issues, "Infertility." http://www.merck.com/mmhe. The Merck Manual of Medical Information, 2nd Home Edition, online version. Last accessed 2/13/2007.
This answer prepared 2/13/2007.
Related Links
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- >Prometrium
- >Parlodel
- >cabergoline
- >Dostinex
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