+91-8800481100 neelam@ivfconceptions.com

Common Fertility Drugs for Women and Men

by Neelam Chhagani

Boost Conception Chances: Ultimate Fertility Drugs Guide

Fertility Medicines: What All Intended Parents Need To Know

Fertility drugs, also known as fertility medications, are medications that improve reproductive fertility. For women, fertility medication is used to stimulate follicle development of the ovary and for men, it is mostly used to improve the male hormones and sperm overall quality.

Fertility drugs are medications that are used to enhance fertility in individuals who are having difficulty getting pregnant. These drugs are designed to help regulate or stimulate the reproductive system’s hormonal balance, increase the chances of ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), and improve the overall likelihood of conception.

Infertility affects one out of eight couples around the world. One can treat infertility with the help of various Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ART) like IVF, IUI, ICSI, etc.

However, fertility drugs have been the most common breakthrough to infertility since the 1960s. But what is fertility medicine and how does it help men and women? You can be prescribed medications that help you get pregnant if you are a woman who has issues with infertility.

These medicines, known as fertility drugs, work by releasing hormones that trigger or regulate ovulation – egg release from your ovary. In this article, we learn and understand deeply how these fertility medicines work.

Also, if you use a particular procedure for improving your chances of becoming pregnant, such as in vitro fertilization, the treatment often involves fertility medicines, known as stimulation injections.

How successful are Fertility drugs?

Oral drugs raise the likelihood of pregnancy in older patients. To improve your chances and reduce risk from treatments, it is important to start right away with the expert and watchful care of a fertility specialist with a precise analysis of fertility problems.

A pregnant surrogate motherFertility drugs for women: Best fertility pills to get pregnant:

There are various types of drugs for women as compared to men. This is because of the fact that it is easier to stimulate the formation of the eggs in the ovaries as compared to the increase in the sperm count in men.

There are many drugs for women some of them are related to hormones like –

#1. FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

One of the gonadotrophic hormones is the follicle-stimulating hormone and the other is a luteinizing hormone. All of them are released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Follicle-stimulating hormone is one of the hormones that are critical for the development of puberty and the function of the ovaries of women. This hormone stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles in the ovary in women before the egg is released by an ovulation follicle.

In women, the lack of follicle-stimulating hormone causes impaired ovarian function and incomplete development (ovarian failure). The ovarian follicles do not grow correctly in this situation and don’t release an egg which results in infertility. Since follicle hormone stimulation levels are low in the blood, it is known as hypogonadism.

FSH is available in the form of many drugs –

• Follitropin alfa lyophilisate
In women who were unable to become pregnant because of ovulation problems, follitropin alfa is used as a fertility medication to grow eggs. It is further used in the treatment of IVF and IUI to stimulate the growth of eggs in the ovary.
• Urofollitropin lyophilisate
Urofollitropin is a follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) derived from urine extracted and purified from samples of human urine. This means that it is injected under the skin into the fatty area. Only the brand-name drugs Bravelle are available as Urofollitropin.

#2. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is mainly produced during pregnancy by placenta syncytiotrophoblastic cells. The hormone stimulates the corpus luteum to produce progesterone to keep pregnant.
• r-hCG
Induction of ultimate follicular maturation and luteinization in women with assisted technology is effective and well-accepted by Recombinant hCG.
• hCG
HCG is a natural hormone, prescribed by physicians for use as an injectable medicine with the brands Pregnyl and Novarel in a related form, known as Ovidrel. HCG is used in women to produce eggs.

#3. GnRH antagonists

Both GnRH agonists and antagonists are synthetic analogs of the peptide hormone GnRH and achieve the level of castrate testosterone by reducing LH and the FSH from the preceding pituitary by GnRH-mediated releases.
• Cetrotide acetate – It is used in the form of injection
• Ganirelix acetate – It is available as a generic drugs and is usually administered as an injection.

#4. Clomiphene

The Role of Clomid: Your First Step Towards Ovulation

Clomid, also known as clomiphene citrate, stands as a pioneer in fertility treatment. Often recommended as an initial intervention for ovulatory dysfunction, Clomid is renowned for its potential to jumpstart ovulation and increase the likelihood of conception. Notably, it’s not limited to women—men with certain infertility concerns may also find benefits from this versatile medication.

In women who are not making eggs but want to become pregnant, clomiphene is used to induce ovulation. Clomiphene is in an ovulatory stimulant class of drugs. It works equally with estrogen, an egg-developing female hormone that is produced inside the ovaries.  Clomid is the most commonly used fertility pill and is also known as the ovulation pill.

# 5. Human menopausal gonadotropin

It is also shortly known as (hMG). hCG is usually used with clomiphene or human gonadotropin menopausal (hMG). Only in women with working ovaries should it be used. For women with premature ovarian failure, it should not be used.

# 6. Dopamine agonists

A disorder called hyperprolactinemia can be treated by dopamine antagonists. The drugs operate by raising the amount of prolactin produced by the pituitary gland. It is available in the form of the following drugs –

• Cabergoline – It is available as a generic drug and is administered in the form of tablets to be taken orally.
• Bromocriptine – It is also a kind of a generic drug and is administered in the form of tablets to be taken orally.

More resources on female infertility:

What are the causes of female infertility and how it can be managed?

Clomid for treating female infertility and its pros and cons

Infertility in elderly women and how to manage it?

Sperm DNA FragmentationsFertility drugs for men

There are fewer fertility drugs available for men. This is because it is more difficult to increase their sperm count than to release an egg in a woman.

#1. FSH ( Follicle Stimulating Hormone Therapy for Male Infertility)

FSH promotes testicular growth and promotes the production by Sertoli cells of an androgen-binding protein that is a component of the tubule necessary for the support of maturing sperm cells. Subcutaneous injection is given in this case. This medication is known as the Follistim AQ and Gonal-F brand name products.

# 2. Human chorionic gonadotropin

HCG acts in males as LH. LH activates the testicle’s Leydig cells, contributing to testosterone development. In testicles called the seminiferous tubules, LH also stimulates sperm production inside the structures. As a generic medicine, this medicine is available. The medications Novarel and Pregnyl are also available under the brand name.

More about male infertility:

Cause of male infertility and how to manage it?

How to manage low sperm counts in males with treatment options?

1o natural ways to increase sperm count in males? 

Conclusion

Therefore, the induction of fertility drugs in the human body is the first step in the treatment of infertility. This is also used in various ART techniques like IVF to stimulate the growth of the eggs and to increase the testosterone level in men.
However, you need to consult with a fertility specialist before taking any fertility medicine. Also, it is important to follow the instructions carefully about taking doses and for how long taken affect the outcome of the infertility treatments.

If you’d like to learn more about IVF, Egg Donation, or surrogacy services globally, check out the rest of our website: IVF Conceptions. We offer legally secure and affordable surrogacy consulting services for FREE.


Fertility drugs for IVF cycle

FAQs for fertility pills.

What are fertility drugs and how do they work?

Fertility drugs stimulate ovulation and enhance pregnancy chances by regulating hormones essential for egg maturation and release.

What are the common types of fertility drugs?

Common types include Clomid (Clomiphene), Femara (Letrozole), and Gonadotropins. Each induces ovulation through distinct mechanisms.

Who should consider using fertility drugs?

Individuals with irregular ovulation, PCOS, unexplained infertility, or specific medical conditions affecting fertility can benefit from these drugs.

What are the potential side effects of fertility drugs?

Side effects may include headaches, hot flashes, mood swings, and in some cases, a higher risk of multiple pregnancies.

How are fertility drugs administered?

Fertility drugs are taken orally or via injections, depending on the type of drug and individual requirements.

Do fertility drugs increase the chances of multiple births?

Yes, some fertility drugs can heighten the likelihood of multiple births, such as twins or triplets.

Are there natural alternatives to fertility drugs?

Lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, stress reduction, and natural supplements can complement fertility treatments.

What’s the cost of fertility drug treatments?

Costs vary based on drug type, treatment duration, and location. Consultation with a specialist can provide accurate pricing.

How long does it typically take for fertility drugs to show results?

Results vary, but some women may ovulate within days to weeks of starting treatment.

Can men use fertility drugs to improve sperm count?

Yes, men with hormonal imbalances affecting sperm count can use fertility drugs under medical guidance to enhance fertility.

References Used:

  1. https://www.healthline.com/
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/
  3. https://www.webmd.com/

Neelam Chhagani, MA (Counselling Psychology), PGD (Mental Health), and Holistic Infertility and Third-Party Reproduction Consultant. Member of European Fertility Society, Best Surrogacy Blogger of 2020, with 200 dedicated blogs and top contributor on Quora for Surrogacy. Highly esteemed, authoritative, and trusted professional with a 13-year experience in international surrogacy. Advocate for Secure, Legal, and Affordable International Surrogacy. Learn more: https://www.ivfconceptions.com/neelam-chhagani-surrogacy-consultant/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/neelam-chhagani-92892229/ https://www.quora.com/profile/Neelam-Chhagani

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *