FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone and is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland (a pea-shaped gland located behind the eyes). FSH is a key medication used to stimulate the ovaries in order to produce numerous follicles. Each of these follicles contain an egg that will later be harvested. Throughout the menstrual cycle, it is released in variable amounts, allowing for a single egg to be fertilized. After the woman has gone through menopause, when there are eggs available in the ovaries, the levels of FSH are very high.
How FSH Works
To harvest a large number of eggs, the woman is given larger amounts of FSH than would otherwise occur naturally during her menstrual cycle. Some reasons for using the FSH treatment include:
- If a woman’s body is not ovulating correctly, FSH is prescribed to the amount close, or equal to, her natural menstrual cycle. This process is called ovulation induction.
- At times, several eggs (2-3) are required to induce superovulation, which is often used to treat unexplained infertility or infertility after treatment of endometriosis. Usually, this is combined with the placement of the woman’s partner’s sperm into the uterus.
- In the third possible case, FSH is used in in vitro fertilization, with the intention of producing 10 to 15 eggs. Fertilization outside the body will be done after this process. The reason so many eggs are produced is to better the chances for fertility to occur.
How FSH is Used
While taking FSH, it is usually required that a patient make several visits back to the doctor’s office in order to monitor how well the woman’s body is reacting to the treatment. These tests are conducted with a transvaginal ultrasound and by blood tests measuring estrogen levels. If the woman’s body is not responding well to the FSH regimen, a doctor will adjust the dose and continue to monitor the results. During this time a doctor will typically prescribe that a patient continue taking Lupron to prevent ovulation prior to surgical retrieval.
After 8-13 days of receiving FSH treatment, and depending on the response, enough follicles have reached maturation and an intramuscular injection of hCG introduced. It is important to note that FSH/Urofollitropin is typically used in combination with the hCG hormone to assist in fertility and ovulation when clomiphene treatment has failed. This is considered the final stage of egg development, and hCG will prepare them for harvesting in approximately 36 hours later.
References
Using the Follicle Stimulating Hormone. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.ivfmed.com: http://www.ivfmed.com.au/documents/infosheet3.pdf
What is IVF? . (n.d.). Retrieved from www.reproductivehealthctr.com: http://www.reproductivehealthctr.com/treatments_for_women_ivf.htm
