Fertility drugs

About 20 percent of women will not be able to get pregnant after one year of trying. When this happens, she should see a healthcare provider, who will do a work-up to discover the cause. Sometimes making some lifestyle changes, or treating menstrual or medical conditions, can solve the problem. If, after trying these things, the woman still is not pregnant, fertility drugs may be tried.

Fertility drugs, also called ovulation drugs, can control the time of ovulation each month. Ovulation is when a woman releases an egg.Fertility drugs help stimulate the eggs to mature and be released. They also improve hormone production, which prepares the lining of the uterus to accept the egg.

The most popular of these fertility drugs is Clomid, also known as Serophene. This is the least expensive and easiest drug to use, since it can be taken in pill form. Clomid has a lower risk for multiple births than other fertility drugs. About 80 percent of women who take this drug ovulate. About 40 to 50 percent of those women will get pregnant.

Before taking this drug, tests need to be done to confirm that the woman is not pregnant or ovulating. If Clomid is going to make a woman ovulate, it will usually do so after the first course of treatment. If ovulation or pregnancy does not occur after 3 courses of therapy, the woman should see a fertility specialist. Overuse of this drug may cause even more problems. The fertility specialist will do a thorough evaluation and decide if more Clomid is needed, or if other treatments would be better.

Clomid is not recommended beyond a total of 6 cycles. Clomid may cause hot flashes, nausea, headache, weight gain, and fatigue. If a woman has blurry vision, or sees spots or flashes while taking this drug, she should stop taking it immediately and call her provider.

If injectable fertility drugs are needed, they are usually more expensive and more difficult to use. Some need a special pump to inject the drugs in bursts. With some, a daily ultrasound is needed to see if the drug is working. These drugs must be given very carefully. They have more side effects than the Clomid, such as causing the ovaries to produce cysts.

Before deciding to take any fertility drug, the benefits and the side effects should be discussed. With any fertility drug, there is an increased chance of having more than 1 baby with the pregnancy. With a multiple birth, there is an increased chance of complications. The babies may also not weigh as much, giving them a slow start in life.

Research several years ago suggested that there may be an increased risk of ovarian cancer after taking fertility drugs. But a 1998 large study showed no increased risk. More research needs to be done to find out if this is a real concern.

Fertility drugs are expensive; may often need to be repeated; and may not be covered by health insurance. These concerns can be emotionally draining for couples. So it is important that you decide early in the process what kind of treatments you can afford, both emotionally and financially. Discuss these with your provider before you begin treatment.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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