|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are currently going through IVF treatments, or procedures, chances are that you’ve been prescribed a gonadotropin stimulating drug such as Follistim, Gonal-F, Menopur, Ganirelix, or Repronex (among others). These are all injectable fertility medications and these IVF drugs come in varying strengths, dosages, and types. It pays to know a little bit about what you can expect from this classification of IVF drugs.
What is FSH and LH in IVF Medication Lingo?
In brief, the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) generally speaking puts out a chemical messenger that tells your ovaries that it is time to release the eggs. These chemical messengers are called Luteinizing Hormone, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone. These messengers stimulate the follicles in the ovaries which produce the eggs. In women who are having trouble conceiving, these chemical messengers have become disrupted. These chemical messengers are referred to as gonadotrophins.
How Your Doctor Will Monitor Your IVF Medications (gonadotrophins)
When administering these powerful hormones, your doctor will want to monitor your ovary’s activities closely. In a natural cycle only one egg proceeds to become released and matured. However, because the FSH and LH, are being administered there is the potential for more than one egg to be released and matured. When this occurs, it is called hyperstimulation. Most doctors now have perfected the dosages on the IVF drugs so that this condition does not occur, because when it does happen, multiples births are possible.
IVF Medications Given by Injection
These particular type of infertility medications are given by injection because FSH and LH can’t be absorbed into the body’s system through the stomach. Normally, when purchasing your IVF meds (online, or via your local pharmacy) it comes as a powder that is reconstituted using a sterile vial of water, before injection. The injection can be via a syringe, or in many cases an easy to use pen. Typical cycles on these particular types of IVF meds begin on the 2nd to 4th day of your period, and are given daily. This is normally up to a dozen shots. Be prepared to be going to the doctor a lot during this time because he or she will want to monitor you very closely to make sure that your ovaries aren’t overstimulated.
Gonadotrophin Experiences
Babycenter.com
Patient 1: A woman was prescribed a round of Menopur which resulted in several mature follicles with eggs. She was really surprised that it worked so quickly as she’d read that it usually took several cycles before the body got with the program.
Babybump.com
Patient 2: A patient, who’d been through several cycles of Ganirelix, as well as other IVF medications, reports that taking the injections had gone easier than she had thought it would. Her husband stays involved by helping administer the injections.
Mothering.com
Patient 3: A patient who was new to using Gonadotrophins asks the forum about side effects and most reported breast tenderness and other menstrual related symptoms. The worst, most of them stated, was feeling a little nausea which went away. However, others stated that each person’s case was different with IVF drugs and that everyone should always read the insert material that comes in the medication box.
Learn more about buying Ganirelix and other discounted IVF meds at IVFPrescriptions.com
|
