Treatment Options: Fertility Drugs
The type of treatment available to an infertile couple depends on their chances of conceiving and, in the case of fertility drugs, whether such treatment can have any effect on their specific infertility. A doctor will be able to determine the cause of infertility and estimate the chances of conceiving with accuracy. Many couples can increase the possibility of conceiving a child with the assistance of fertility drugs.
Fertility drugs as the first option
When trying to conceive without any medical help fails for a significant period, which can be anywhere between 6 months and 2 years, your doctor might recommend that you use a fertility drug. This depends on the results of the doctor’s investigation into the infertility, as certain causes rule out methods other than assisted conception. For subfertile couples, however, fertility drugs are often the first option. Millions of people every year are prescribed these sorts of drugs.
Types of fertility drugs
The main types of fertility drugs fall into three categories, and within those categories are a number of brand name drugs with similar effects:
- Clomifene (Clomid, Serophene, Milophene, Clomiphene) is taken during the menstrual cycle for around 5 days. The maximum amount of drug cycles most women go through is between 3 and 6.
- Bromocriptine (Parlodel) is used to help women with an excess of prolactin, with the woman taking pills 2 to 3 times per day until ovulation becomes normal.
- Gonadotropins (hMG, Humegon, Fertinex, Follistim, Repronex, Metrodin, Gonal F, Preganyl, Pergonal) are useful for both men and women. A course of injections lasts between 7 and 12 days.
How do fertility drugs work?
Women’s fertility drugs seek to produce steady ovulation via the stimulation of hormones in the woman’s brain (in particular, the pituitary gland). This in turn allows one or multiple eggs to be readied each month and successfully released from the ovaries. They are effective for women suffering from irregular and erratic ovulation.
The same drugs are frequently prescribed for men, as the same hormones can exert control over the reproductive functions in both sexes. If the male has a certain hormone imbalance, the fertility drugs attempt to restore equilibrium. In this way the drugs aim to enhance and increase testosterone and sperm production, though it is acknowledged that the drugs are far less successful in treating men if they do not have the hormonal imbalance. They are also used to increase sperm motility and quality.
Are they safe?
A lot of the most widely used drugs have been used safely for over 30 years, but they are definitely not free of risk. Some drugs can produce unwanted side effects, such as weight gain, blurry vision, and breast enlargement. Clomifene has been shown to contribute to liver damage in rare cases. The probability of multiple pregnancies is also increased with use of fertility drugs: one in ten women on clomid have more than one baby, while one in three taking gonadotrophins may have multiple pregnancies. Talk to your doctor about these possibilities as related to particular drugs.
How long does the treatment last?
A course of fertility drug treatment usually lasts between 3 and 6 months, either in the form of regular injections or taking an oral drug. Length varies depending on the drug. Your doctor should keep an eye on the treatment’s progress, and depending on the results they may recommend changing the dosage, changing the medication, or adding another fertility drug to your treatment. If you are still unable to conceive after 6 months then the doctor may advise switching the focus of treatment away from drugs, as a continued program of drugs does not further improve your chances of conception.