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An Overview of Common Fertility Drugs

At International Pharmacy, we provide a range of different fertility drugs, such as Clomid (clomiphene) and Letrozole so that you can make the right decision for your family planning.

When it comes to planning a family and pregnancy, if you find you are having difficulties conceiving, it can be a difficult and worrying time. It is generally considered that you are having fertility problems if you’ve been unable to conceive naturally within one year of regular unprotected intercourse.

Your first step is for both you and your partner to have a fertility evaluation with your healthcare practitioner. From here, you’ll be able to consider your different fertility options and whether some of the common fertility drugs will help in your case.

Your first line of fertility treatment, often and for most people, will rely on common fertility drugs. These stimulate egg or sperm production, aid ovulation, or enable a more conducive environment for the embryo to thrive. For the vast majority of people, taking common fertility drugs is enough. Alongside this, lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or stopping the use of NSAIDs, may help result in that much anticipated pregnancy.

For others, they may go on to need fertility treatments. Only a very small percentage of those experiencing infertility will need more assistance, such as through IVF.

What are the common fertility drugs?

In the vast majority of cases, fertility drugs work by stimulating ovulation – the release of an egg. Occasionally they may be able to help with male infertility by stimulating sperm production.

A failure to ovulate is the most common cause of fertility difficulties in women, accounting for 40% of cases. There are various ovulation issues that can occur. Some will stop an egg being released altogether while others make it very inconsistent and unreliable. Common causes of ovulation problems causing fertility issues include polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid problems, and premature ovarian failure.

As such, the most common fertility medications are those which stimulate ovulation. These are also drugs which are sometimes used during IVF and IUI treatment, even if ovulation difficulties aren’t the sole or main problem.

The most common fertility drugs include clomiphene, letrozole and gonadotropin.

Clomiphene

At International Pharmacy, we sell clomiphene under the brand name Clomid.

Clomid (clomiphene citrate) is perhaps the most commonly known fertility medication and often a first approach at enabling ovulation and a successful pregnancy. In the vast majority of cases it is used to stimulate ovulation, but it also has the ability to help treat some kinds of male infertility too. Clomid is generally considered extremely successful. Around 80% of women who take Clomid will ovulate within 6 cycles of taking it.

Clomid has been around for a very long time, over 50 years, and is considered safe and easy. You simply take a tablet a day (although some may use injections). Side effects are usually minimal.

Even though Clomid is often very successful at stimulating ovulation, remember that this doesn’t guarantee a pregnancy. There may be other factors affecting your fertility too.

Letrozole and Anastrozole

At International Pharmacy, we sell letrozole in a generic form, and under the brand name Femara. We sell anastrozole in a generic form and also under the brand name Arimidex.

Technically, these aren’t officially called fertility medications. However, they are sometimes used to assist with ovulation in women with ovulation disorders. They are known as aromatase inhibitors and are actually most commonly used as anti-cancer medications in post-menopausal women who have breast cancer.

Although the success rates are typically similar to that of Clomid, Clomid will usually be used in the first instance.

Gonadotropins

At International Pharmacy, we sell Novarel MDV (Gonadotropin, Chorionic Human) and Ovidrel Powder (Chorinic Gonadotropin).

Gonadotropins are hormones responsible for regulating reproduction and sexual development in both men and women.  However, they are predominantly used for treating infertility in women. Gonadotropins are typically only suggested when a drug such as Clomid has been unsuccessful.

Two key hormones are included in gonadotropins: the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Additionally, the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is also present. These hormones work in slightly different ways to aid in reproduction. Specifically, they stimulate the woman’s ovaries to produce a follicle. Within the follicle will be an egg. The hormones also enable the ovary to release the egg. These hormones are created in the pituitary gland, so if your pituitary gland isn’t successfully producing these hormones then taking them can help.

Beyond ovulation stimulation

While ovulation difficulties are often the cause of infertility, and therefore stimulating ovulation is often enough to solve the problem, it’s not always the only treatment needed. Other approaches which involve fertility drugs include suppressing your body’s immune system or reproductive system, or supporting the luteal phase (this is the time following ovulation but prior to menstruation).

Other common fertility drugs therefore include:

  • Aspirin or Heparin: Blood clotting disorders may cause recurrent miscarriage and these drugs can help here.
  • Bromocriptine:
    Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist and can be used to help with
    hyperprolactinemia which is when the body produces too much prolactin
    which can interfere with ovulation.
  • Progesterone:
    Progesterone can be helpful in the luteal phase, supporting the
    creation of a good environment for the blastocyst to embed in the
    uterine lining successfully.
  • Metformin:
    Metformin is classically used as a medication to help with Type II
    diabetes, but can be used to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
    which can cause fertility difficulties.

Other fertility options

If common fertility drugs do not work, or are considered unsuitable, then there are other options which may be possible. These include intrauterine insemination (IUI) and other artificial insemination options, laparoscopic surgery to repair problems with the fallopian tubes, remove fibroids, or remove endometrial deposits, and various assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as IVF, GIFT and ZIFT. Common fertility drugs may be used alongside these treatments.

The side effects and potential risks of using common fertility drugs vary according to the chosen drug. Often there may be mood swings and headaches. Rare side effects which can be very dangerous and life threatening include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) so you should always follow medical advice when taking these medications.