Understanding Fertility Injections

Fertility injections remain to be an integral part of infertility treatments. While the thought of having fertility injections may seem nerve-wracking, it is actually very helpful in preparing the body achieve and maintain a pregnancy.

Fertility injections are used to stimulate and suppress the ovaries and to let the eggs mature in the ovaries so that it can be removed from the ovary during an IVF cycle.

Types of Fertility Injections: Injectable Hormones

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin like Novarel and Ovidrel are generally used together with other fertility drugs to initiate the release of mature egg/s in the ovaries.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone like Bravelle, Follistim and Gonal-F stimulates the development of eggs in the ovaries.

Human Menopausal Gonadotropin such as Menopur and Repronex combines both Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone like Lutrepulse is used to stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete  FSH and LH.

Other injectable hormones include Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (Lupron and Synarel). These are used to allow the production of more quality eggs. Another type of injectable hormones are Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist (Antagon and Cetrotide). These fertility injections are administered for three to four days.

These fertility injections carry a number of side effects that can be mild or severe. Some side effects include tenderness, swelling and bruising. The risk of ovarian hyperstimulation is highly likely which causes the ovaries to become tender and enlarged.

Take note that all these fertility injections are prescribed in varying doses and administered differently, whether injected beneath the skin or directly into the muscle. Injection areas may include the upper arm, upper thigh, stomach and even the buttocks.

Given the manner of administration and potential side effects, fertility injections can be uncomfortable. Despite these unpleasantries, the benefit from this kind of medication definitely outweighs any discomfort or perils.