When a couple was futile in conceiving a child, physicians would usually tell their patients that there was nothing they could do for them, so couple would struggle eternally with infertility issues, resulting sometimes to marital problems but today, couples facing infertility issues have a lot of options to choose, one of this is utilizing fertility drugs.
What are
fertility drugs? Where did it come from? Are there various forms of fertility drugs? Do fertility drugs, have possible risks?
Fertility Drugs for Women are medications prescribed by physicians to kindle reproductive system in order to be fertile and in women, it is utilized to stimulate follicle growth of the ovary.
Studies prove that the discovery of reproductive hormones; female hormone (estrogen) in 1923, and male hormone (testosterone) in 1935 was the answer to the development of modern fertility treatments. Fertility drugs have been the finest solution now since the innovation of Clomid, the earliest fertility drugs made available and the "test tube babies".
Kinds of Fertility Drugs for Women:
1. Clomiphene Citrate (Serophene and Clomid) - is an inexpensive and effective ovarian stimulator inhibiting the negative feedback of estrogen.
2. Aromatase inhibitors - primarily a treatment for breast cancer, but also work as fertility medication similar to the mechanism of clomiphene citrate.
3. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) - is normally produced during pregnancy. As a medication, it is used as an ovulation inducer by stimulating the ovarian follicle to release an ovum.
4. Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) (Repronex or menopur) - an injectible fertility drug that contains follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which acts directly on the ovaries by increasing fertility.
5. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) (Follistim, Bravelle, and Gonal-F) - an injectable drug that stimulates ovaries to produce more follicle and increases the number of eggs.
6. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) - is synthesized and release from the neurons of the hypothalamus. This hormone is responsible for the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and usually recommended for women with irregular menstrual cycle.
7. Progesteron - a natural occurring hormone that helps increase the chances of successful fertilization. It also helps prepare the linings of the uterus (endometrium) for the arrival and i8mplantation of the embryo.
To help find out if fertility has been achieved, women are closely checked by their physicians in that length of time of treatment.
But it is also important to know what could possibly go wrong and what actions can be done to lessen the chances of having complications as fertility drugs come with potential perils and side effects just like any other drugs.
Potential Risks of using Fertility Drugs for Women:
One of the downside of all fertility drugs is that it may take as long as three months for the budding follicle to go through the entire course of growth and maturation.
Other risks are high chances of having manifold births which result in premature birth and compromising the mother and babies health as during pregnancy mothers may experience extreme nausea and vomiting, high risk of pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. Low birth weight, high risk for developmental delays and cerebral palsy are other outcomes to babies on the other hand.
Another drawback of using fertility drug use is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which occur when the ovaries becomes enlarged, filling with fluid, thus causing complications during ovulation.
Lowering Potential Risk of complications:
1. In case of compromised health condition of women, good prenatal care lowers the threat of multiple pregnancy and OHSS.
2. Take a lower dose of fertility drugs as possible.
3. Some fertility clinics are too aggressive in treating infertilities, be cautious in selecting the right one.
4. Be careful in checking your cycle; follow the advice and instructions of your doctor, because your health and your baby is their precedence.
Note: When it comes to
Fertility Drugs for Women, always consult your doctor.