Some common medicines used to treat infertility in women. Perhaps by far the most common is Clomiphene citrate (Clomid). This medicine causes ovulation by acting on the pituitary gland. It is often used in women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or other problems with ovulation. It is taken by mouth.
It is important that clomephene is taken as directed as it is known to have side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, stomach upset, bloating, or nausea.
These effects usually disappear as the body adjusts, but should be reported anyway. Other signs like mental/mood changes, skin rash, hot flashes, stomach pain, breast tenderness, blurred vision, abnormal vaginal bleeding are not to be taken lightely.
Medical history, especially of liver disease, psychiatric problems, ovarian cysts, blood clots, cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, thyroid problems, adrenal gland disease must be reported before taking the medicine.
Caution is advised when performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving) since this drug may cause dizziness or blurred vision. A possible outcome of use of the medication is that it may result in multiple births. Under no circumstance is Clomiphene to be used during pregnancy.
Another drug is the Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG. This medicine is often used for women who don’t ovulate due to problems with their pituitary gland. hMG acts directly on the ovaries to stimulate ovulation. It is an injected medicine.
The Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH works much like hMG. It causes the ovaries to begin the process of ovulation. These medicines are usually injected.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) analog: These medicines are often used for women who don’t ovulate regularly each month. Women who ovulate before the egg is ready can also use these medicines. Gn-RH analogs act on the pituitary gland to change when the body ovulates. These medicines are usually injected or given with a nasal spray.
One of the most popular drugs for female infetility is Metformin (Glucophage): The medicine is ideal for women who have insulin resistance and/or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). This drug helps lower the high levels of male hormones in women with these conditions. This helps the body to ovulate. Sometimes clomiphene citrate or FSH is combined with metformin. This medicine is usually taken by mouth.
Bromocriptine is used for women with ovulation problems due to high levels of prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that causes milk production. Many fertility drugs increase a woman’s chance of having twins, triplets or other multiples.
Multiple foetuses have a high risk of being born too early (prematurely) and premature babies are at a higher risk of health and developmental problems.
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