Learning About IVF Medications
In a perfect world, every individual who wanted a child would be able to conceive naturally. However, the reality is that underlying health concerns, age, low ovarian reserve, and even poor sperm quality can all be factors that impact whether or not, and even how quickly a woman or couple can conceive. When infertility is a concern, artificial reproductive technology (ART) can be a lifeline. More specifically, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most successful fertility treatments that helps women and couples who are struggling to conceive. Still, the process requires specific medications which are usually intended to regulate hormones to improve fertility. Find out what a specialist may prescribe and why during an IVF cycle.
Hormone supplementation
While IVF is a procedure that normally has an outsized impact on women, the reality is that men can also be affected. Specifically, scenarios exist where a man may be prescribed medication during an IVF cycle. For example, people diagnosed with low testosterone may be given hormones designed to lower estrogen, which is present in all genders, to boost levels and improve sperm production. Such an option would be critical for a man who wants to be the biological father of a resulting child. Prescriptions may be provided in either pill or injectable form.
To regulate cycles
A common cause of infertility in women is an irregular cycle. In such a scenario, a woman may struggle to predict ovulation which makes natural conception significantly harder accurately. Even within fertility treatments, IVF requires precision timing to stimulate ovarian activity, harvest eggs, and manage the embryo transfer. If a woman has an irregular menstrual cycle, birth control might be prescribed for the first month or two before beginning IVF. The process helps regulate the menstrual cycle and allows fertility specialists to effectively predict the ovulation window.
Improve ovarian production
Ovarian stimulation is usually the one hormone-centered step in IVF that most people know. Usually, early into the cycle, a fertility specialist will prescribe hormones to boost egg production. Instead of releasing one egg, a woman’s ovaries will release multiple eggs simultaneously. Once the ovulation window begins, egg retrieval occurs which offers a woman or couple more opportunities with the multiple eggs being collected. In many cases, all eggs are fertilized, but only one or two will be transferred to the uterus. Untransferred eggs may be frozen and saved for future IVF cycles.
Get informed before IVF
IVF features a specific timeline that often relies on a complex convergence of timing and medications to achieve a successful pregnancy. While ovulation stimulation is the most obvious and well known reason to use prescription hormone medications, regulating an irregular menstrual cycle, or even counteracting low sperm count are other common reasons for medications during a cycle. To figure out which medications are the right choice, consider speaking with a fertility specialist.
