Ovulation Drugs: Gonadotropin, Clomid and More

Ovulation Drugs: Gonadotropin, Clomid and More

Infertility and ovulation disorders are frequently affecting women nowadays. Various fertility supplements and ovulation drugs, natural or synthetic, are available on the market. Usually they induce ovulation by working like natural hormones. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are commonly found in most of the medication for infertility. Make sure you know how to track ovulation first, to see if an ovulation problem is really the issue. Claim Your 20 Free Ovulation Tests – Click Here

Common drugs to stimulate ovulation include:

Human menopausal gonadotropin

Most women lack ovulation because the pituitary gland fails to stimulate it. Gonadotropins, such as human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), stimulate the ovaries directly. They contain both FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone). Brand names include Menopur and Repronex.

Clomiphene citrate

This drug helps women who have ovulatory disorders such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). It stimulates the pituitary gland making it release more hormones like FSH and LH. They boost the chances of a healthy growth of an ovarian follicle with a valid egg. Brand names include Serophene and Clomid.

Human chorionic gonadotropin

This drug is commonly used in combos with other ovulation drugs such as clomiphene, FSH and hMG. It is a follicle stimulator that also helps the egg releasing. Brand names include Pregnyl and Ovidrel.

Follicle stimulating hormone

Follicle stimulating hormone contains FSH, which helps maturation of egg follicles in the ovaries. It is administrated by subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injections. Brand names include Bravelle.

Bromocriptine

Some women have high levels of prolactin, a hormone responsible with milk production in new mothers. This may cause irregular cycles. Bromocriptine inhibits the production of prolactin, and helps regulate monthly cycles. Brand names include Parlodel.

Glucophage

This drug is an oral tablet medication used for diabetes to control blood sugar levels. It is also used in infertility treatments to stimulate ovulation for women with infertility due to insulin resistance. Polycystic ovary syndrome has been suggested to be related to insulin resistance. Brand names include Metformin.

Gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs

Some women with erratic ovulatory cycles ovulate prematurely, when the lead follicle is not mature. They are prescribed (Gn-RH) analogs to repress the activity of the pituitary gland, so that a fertility specialist can induce follicle growth with a follicle stimulating hormone.

Aromatase inhibitors

The Food and Drug Administration didn’t approve aromatase inhibitors for treating infertility and the effects on early pregnancy are still being studied. But sometimes, these drugs, which include anastrozole (Arimidex) and letrozole (Femara), are prescribed for women who haven’t responded to other forms of treatment.

Ovulation drugs should not, under any circumstance, be taken without a doctor’s prescription and women should pay careful attention to any side effects and report them immediately to their healthcare provider.

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Dr. Renee Hanton, MD
Dr. Renee Hanton, MD | ConceiveEasy
Dr. Renee Hanton is ConceiveEasy's Senior Physician with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Dr. Hanton specializes in the endocrine causes of infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

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