Couples unsuccessful in conceiving a child would struggle endlessly with infertility issues, resulting sometimes to marital problems but with the existence of fertility drugs, they now have a likelihood.
But what is the genuine deal with fertility drug?
Fertility Drugs are medications prescribed by physicians to stimulate 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 solution to the evolution of modern fertility treatments. Because of the earliest fertility drugs made available named Clomid and the launch of "test tube babies", infertility issues had turned toward fertility drug treatments as a key.
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.
The success of the fertility drugs depends on the condition of the women and as this fertility drugs are taken until pregnancy is attained and in that span of time of treatment women are closely monitored by their physicians to help determine if fertility has been achieved.
You may also feel potential risks and side effects with fertility drugs but if you know what could perhaps go wrong and what actions can be done to lower the chances of having complications, you'll be fine.
Potential Risks of using Fertility Drugs for Women:
One of the disadvantage of all fertility drugs is that it may take as long as three months for the budding follicle to go through the entire procedure 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 feel intense nausea and vomiting, high risk of pregnancy induced hypertension and gestational diabetes. For the babies it may result to low birth weight, high risk for developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a condition where ovaries becomes distended, filling with fluid, thus causing complications during ovulation is another drawback of using fertility drug.
Lowering Potential Risk of complications:
1. In case of compromised health condition of women, good prenatal care lessens the danger of multiple pregnancy and OHSS.
2. Take a lower dose of fertility drugs as possible.
3. Some fertility clinics are excessively aggressive in treating infertilities, be cautious in selecting the right one.
4. Prioritize your health and your baby so be careful in monitoring your cycle and follow the advice and instructions of your doctor.
Note: But before taking any fertility drugs, consult your doctor frst.
