Fertility Medications As An Option For Infertility
Infertility treatment is necessary for many couples struggling to conceive naturally. At the center of most treatment strategies lie fertility medications. Healthy reproduction is determined by the delicate balance of hormones responsible for fertility. Fertility medications are natural or synthetic hormones used to supplement any possible deficiencies. For instance, if blood tests reveal an imbalance, doctors can recommend fertility medication. This treatment is administered in injectable or oral form at specific ovulation intervals. These drugs can treat many reasons for infertility, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or irregular menstrual cycles. Fertility medications are also essential for procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI). While effective, multiple pregnancies are a common risk factor.
Types of fertility medications
A fertility team can administer hormone drugs for women and men, but most are centered around women. Oral ovulation-inducing medicines work by blocking estrogen receptors in the brain. Lower estrogen increases follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormones necessary for ovulation. Injectable drugs, like gonadotropins, directly stimulate the ovaries to produce and mature multiple eggs. Some fertility medications like gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists will be provided at specific times to suppress FSH and LH or help with releasing the eggs. In some cases, men can benefit from oral hormone medication to increase sperm quality and quantity. Each situation differs, and the fertility team will provide specific doses to meet individual challenges.
What are the risks?
Fertility drugs are not without risk. While the severity of risks or side effects varies, the possibility remains the same for all patients. For instance, women can experience menopausal-like symptoms with ovulation-inducing medicines, such as hot flashes, fatigue, headaches, and mood swings. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is another common yet serious complication. Perhaps the biggest concern is the risk of multiple pregnancies. Fertility medications can lead to multiple pregnancies. For instance, some injectable hormones help produce multiple eggs, which can be released during treatment. Natural conception, IUI, and even IVF can result in twins or greater multiples. Some patients are not prepared for this risk, preferring a singleton birth.
Keeping these risks under control
Multiple pregnancies carry significant health risks to mother and child. Preterm births, low birth weight, and health issues are common. Pregnant mothers also risk complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Reproductive specialists are skilled in using fertility drugs effectively while still minimizing these risks. Managing the individual doses of fertility medications, for instance, ensures the patient receives the lowest effective dose to boost fertility without the risk of overstimulation. Reducing or even limiting gonadotropins can reduce follicle production or ovulation. The medical team considers factors such as age and ovarian reserve, adjusting the medication accordingly. Careful monitoring via ultrasounds and blood tests can help doctors work within specific thresholds, minimizing the risk of multiples.
Alternatives for infertility treatment
If there is a risk of fertility medications leading to multiple births, doctors may consider alternative treatments. Moving from IUI to IVF gives the medical team more control over the outcomes. IVF can extract multiple follicles and create embryos outside of the body instead. This reduces the risk of multiples. IVF can also benefit from an elective single embryo transfer (eSET) process. The fertility team implants a single embryo, usually the best option, during each IVF cycle, almost eliminating the risk of multiples. IVF also allows fertility medications to be adjusted on a cycle-by-cycle basis based on past data.
A future free of multiples
Taking on the journey of infertility treatment can be challenging. A vital part is the use of fertility medications, which ramp up the ability to produce multiple eggs or improve reproductive function. While effective, the risk of multiple pregnancies remains. The ovaries can be overstimulated, leading to the possibility of multiples, especially during IUI. Taking a measured, individual approach to fertility medications can limit the conditions for multiple pregnancies. For couples concerned with the risk or only hoping for a singleton, consider more controlled options like IVF. Remember, there is risk in all efforts to increase pregnancy. Navigate these issues with the medical team for the best possible outcome.
