Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after at least one year of unprotected sex. According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all infertile couples will spontaneously conceive within 36 months of an infertile diagnosis without treatment. Many drugs are available to increase the chances of fertility if you are interested in medical intervention.
General information about female fertility drugs
Drugs which act on ovulation are the primary treatment for infertility resulting from ovulation disorders. These medications mimic the action of the naturally occurring hormones FSH (follicule-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) which are supposed to trigger ovulation.
Fertility drugs increase the chances of having a multiple birth. Oral medications raise the possibility by five to eight percent while injected medications raise the possibility to 20 percent. Multiple births carry many risks, and your doctor might change the amount and timing of medications to lower the risk.
Clomiphene citrate
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene) is an oral medication that stimulates ovulation in women suffering from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) or other conditions affecting ovulation. It acts on the pituitary gland to release larger amounts of FSH and LH, which form ovarian follicles containing an egg. This medication is also the first line of treatment in women who ovulate normally and are suffering infertility due to an unknown cause
Gonadotropins
Like clomiphene citrate, these medications enhance the production of FSH and LH but act on other sources rather than the pituitary gland. These medications contain FSH and LH.
Human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG (Repronex) is given through injection and treats infertility resulting from the inability of the pituitary gland to stimulate ovulation.
Follicle-stimulating hormone or FSH (Gonal-F, Follistim, Bravelle) causes the ovaries to make mature egg follicles.
Human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG (Ovidrel, Pregnyl), combined with clomiphene, hMG and FSH, acts on the follicle to release an egg (ovulate)
Metformin
Metformin(Glucophage) is an oral medication treats insulin resistance, a potential cause of infertility in women with PCOS. Improving insulin resistance helps normalize ovulation.
Aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole) are typically used to treat breast cancer and have been shown to promote ovulation. It is still unknown if this medication can affect early pregnancy.
Male infertility medications
Drugs do not play as prominent a role in treating male infertility. When erectile dysfunction or improper hormone levels are the cause, medications to address these issues are prescribed. Male infertility is primarily addressed by surgery and removing sperm from the testicles through various assisted reproductive methods.
Tags: pituitary gland, Aromatase inhibitors, Clomiphene citrate, increase chances, infertility resulting, infertility resulting from, insulin resistance