Today we are going to focus on Gonadotropins and explain a little more about them, what they are and how they work. Gonadotropins are injectable fertility medications that are sold under such brand names as Bravelle, Follistim, and Gonal-f. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
These gonadotropins contain FSH, and they are given by injection to stimulate ovulation and help a woman to produce multiple eggs. Gonadotropins are not usually used until an oral fertility drug has been proven ineffective in a woman’s particular case. They are usually the second treatment option used, after oral fertility medications.
Gonadotropins such as these three are usually very expensive, in the range of $2000 to $5000 per cycle. This does not include the cost of additional cycles, or other fertility treatments that they are usually used in conjunction with, such as IVF or IUI.
The injections are usually started near the beginning of a woman’s menstrual cycle and continued through days 8 to 14. After a doctor sees that the follicles are mature during an ultrasound, the patient will be given an additional injection of hCG to stimulate ovulation, and then, the woman is ready to conceive!
These three brand names of gonadotropins are very similar, but also have a few differences. They are derived from different things. Bravelle, for example is derived from the urine of post menopausal women who produce too much FSH. Gonal F and Follistim are both derived from FSH that are produced in a lab. Some of them may come in powder form, and you have to mix them yourself. Sometimes you will find that the drug is already pre-mixed for you.
For example, Follistim comes premixed, and you can easily inject it subcutaneously with a pen device that you will receive. Bravelle can either be mixed or sometimes comes already mixed for you. It can be injected under the skin or into a muscle with a needle and syringe. All three of these brand names of drugs have just about the same success and pregnancy rate, as well as rate of complication.
Your doctor will be able to tell you the precise dosage that you will need to take each day. Your doctor will also give you strict instructions for how to store your medications. It is important that they are kept away from light and extreme temperatures.
Sometimes they ask that you store the medication in the box, sometimes in the fridge. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you advice on how and where to best store your medications. Also, you will probably need to practice giving yourself an injection, or have your partner or a close friend learn how to give you injections. Your doctor will be able to help you with this part of using injectable drugs also.
You should feel positive about using gonadotropins, since they have such a high success rate. Many women find that gonadotropins were just the thing that they needed to jump start their bodies into being ready to make a baby and help them on their trying to conceive journey!
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