What are Fertility Medications?

Fertility medications are drugs that are used to treat infertility or to stimulate ovulation. They may also be used during assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). These medications work by regulating hormone levels and helping to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.

There are different types of fertility medications, including:

1. Gonadotropins: These are injections that contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). They work by stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, increasing the chances of fertilization.

2. Clomiphene Citrate: This is an oral medication that is used to treat ovulation problems in women. It works by stimulating the release of hormones that trigger ovulation.

3. Letrozole: This medication is similar to clomiphene citrate and is also used to stimulate ovulation. It is often prescribed when clomiphene citrate has not been effective.

4. Metformin: This is an oral medication commonly used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a cause of infertility in women. It works by improving insulin sensitivity and regulating hormone levels.

5. Bromocriptine: This medication is used to treat hyperprolactinemia, a condition where the body produces too much prolactin hormone, which can interfere with ovulation.

6. Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG): This is a combination of FSH and LH that is used to stimulate ovulation. It is typically used in women who do not produce enough of these hormones.

7. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): This medication is used to trigger ovulation after other fertility medications have stimulated the ovaries to produce eggs.

These medications can be used alone or in combination with other fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF. They are typically prescribed and monitored by a fertility specialist to ensure proper dosage and to minimize potential side effects.