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Medications Commonly Used in Fertility Treatments
Medication |
Description |
| Clomiphene (Clomid, Serophene) | An oral medication that acts indirectly to stimulate ovulation by causing the pituitary gland to make more LH and FSH. Typically taken cycle days 5-9 (or 3-7) for 5 days. |
| Estrogen (Estrace, Vivelle, Delestrogen) | A hormone that helps prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy, can be given by pill, patch, or injection. |
| HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel) | Injectable hormone that helps final stages of egg maturation and triggers ovulation (release of eggs). |
| Gonadotropins (Gonal-F, Follistim, Repronex, Menopur, Bravelle) | Injectable preparations of FSH (and sometimes LH) that work directly on the ovary to stimulate follicular development (or production of eggs). |
| Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (Lupron) | Hormones that prevent ovulation so that the timing can be controlled for in vitro fertilization or insemination. If given in a large dose, can also suppress the menstrual cycle. |
| Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist (Ganirelix, Cetrotide) | Injectable medications that prevent ovulation. |
| Insulin Sensitizers (Metformin, Glucophage, Fortamet) | Oral medications that are usually given to control diabetes, but can also be used in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome to lesson the production of male type hormones by the ovaries. May help to elicit ovulation in these patients, can also be used as an adjunct to other fertility drugs. |
| Progesterone (Progesterone vaginal suppositories, Crinone, Prometrium, Progesterone in oil) | Hormone that is necessary to prepare the uterus for a pregnancy, helps to maintain the lining of the uterus in preparation for implantation. Can be taken orally, by suppository vaginally, or by injection. |
