Fertility Medications & Injections
Fertility medication overview
Fertility medications are often used to induce ovulation; to improve the quality or quantity of eggs released or retrieved through IVF; and to enhance progesterone production to assist implantation.
Commonly prescribed fertility medications
Clomid (Clomiphene) & Other Oral Induction Medications
Clomid, also known as Serophene or clomiphene citrate, is an ovulation induction medication taken by mouth. More about oral induction medications.
FSH & HMG Gonadotropin Injections
FSH (Gonal F or Follistim) and HMG (Menopur) are gonadotropin injection medications to stimulate the ovaries for fertility treatment.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
One of the possible side effects from fertility medications is known as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. Learn more about symptoms.
Progesterone Fertility Injections
Progesterone fertility injection medication makes the lining of the uterus more receptive to embryo implantation during fertility treatment.
Metformin Oral Fertility Medication
Metformin (Glucophage) is an oral fertility medication that can help your body use insulin more effectively and improve ovulation patterns.
HCG Fertility Injections
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or HCG injections (Profasi, Pregnyl, Ovidrel) matures eggs, stimulates ovulation and aids hormonal processes.
Fertility Medication Injection Videos
After your initial class with our nurses, you can also watch these training videos on how to administer injectable fertility medications at home.
Additional fertility medications our providers prescribe
- Lupron: Leuprolide acetate is an injectable medication that can be used in several ways. One way of using lupron is to “quiet down” your ovaries. Lupron causes the ovary to become hormonally inactive as reflected in low estrogen levels and no ovarian cysts via ultrasound. Lupron prevents premature ovulation in IVF cycles. In very small doses, Lupron can also be used to stimulate the ovaries. This is done to aggressively stimulate the ovaries for IVF. Finally, Lupron can also be used as a “trigger” by inducing an LH surge for IVF.
- Ganirelix/Cetrotide: These are injectable medications that prevent the ovary from premature ovulation. Unlike Lupron, it is usually started once your ovaries have begun to form follicles and produce estrogen. They may cause more local skin irritation than your other injectable medications.
- Estrogen: Estrogen is usually given to FET (frozen embryo transfer) patients or to donor recipients to build up the endometrial lining. It can be given as pills (Estrace) orally or vaginally, or as patches (Vivelle).
We began working with Dr. Couchman in mid-January and after two rounds of oral medication and two rounds of injectibles, we were pregnant! We are so grateful to the doctors and staff at Carolina Conceptions for giving us a miracle I never thought would happen. The care and close attention to your needs is unmatched.
– M & T, from Durham NC
More fertility tips
