If the problem is ovulation, medication is the first option most couples consider for infertility treatment, because it has relatively low risk and is less expensive than the more invasive procedures. Fertility drugs can be prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women, but they can also be prescribed to increase sperm counts in men with abnormal hormone levels. Drugs used to stimulate ovulation in women who experience anovulation (don’t ovulate) increase the risk of multiple births. This, in turn, increases the risk for the children being born with disabilities, preterm birth, and complications in during pregnancy and delivery as well. Drugs may also be used to induce “super ovulation,” or the release of multiple eggs in order to optimize the environment for insemination procedures.

The most commonly prescribed ovulation drugs include Clomiphene citrate, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). Clomiphene is administered in tablets; the rest of the drugs are administered through a series of injections. Most of these drugs have the same potential side effects, such as multiple births, mood swings, breast tenderness, miscarriage and preterm labor, ovarian cysts and depression.

Not all infertile women are candidates for fertility drugs. It may take several tests, and some trials, to determine the right drug for you. You can expect the process to take some time, and sex may have to be specifically timed in order to achieve conception.

Click below to read about related topics.

Introduction
Fertility Drugs
Artificial Insemination
Assisted Reproductive Technology
Surrogacy