Success of Fertility Medications
Pregnancy is a dream shared by many couples. Unfortunately, this dream is not always easily obtained. However, with continuing advances in fertility treatment, many patients are able to make that dream a reality. At Dr. Sonja Kristiansen’s Houston fertility center, fertility medications are one of the many options available for women who are struggling to become pregnant. These medications can be used on their own, or alongside other fertility treatment, to increase the chances of conception.
Fertility Medications and Success Rate
There are several fertility medications that Dr. Kristiansen may prescribe to her patients. Below is a description of some of the most common fertility medications, along with the success rate of each medication.
- Clomiphene: Clomiphene is a medication that is commonly used for patients with irregular ovulation cycles. This is an anti-estrogen medication that causes the brain to release hormones that stimulate the ovaries and increase egg production. This oral medication is typically taken for five days consecutively toward the beginning of your cycle. In most cases, this medication can be used for up to six months. In patients who use clomiphene, between 60 and 80 percent will ovulate, while about half of those will become pregnant. If clomiphene does not result in a successful pregnancy, Dr. Kristiansen can prescribe another medication or recommend another treatment.
- Injectable Hormones: There are several forms of injectable hormones that can be used to increase the chances of pregnancy. Some of these medications include Gonal F, Ovidrel, and Follistim. These drugs can stimulate ovulation or address other infertility problems. These medications are typically injected on the second or third day of a woman’s cycle and then used daily for seven to 12 days. As with clomiphene, around 60 to 80 percent of patients will successfully ovulate after using these medications and about half of those women will become pregnant.
Each woman will have her own infertility issues that need to be addressed. If fertility medication is prescribed, it will be after a comprehensive exam with Dr. Kristiansen to determine which medications are likely to be successful.
Side Effects
Fertility medication can cause mild side effects. Some of the most common side effects include hot flashes, nausea, bloating, or headaches. In addition to these side effects, the injectables may also cause swelling, tenderness, or bruising at the injection site.
Additional Treatments
In order to increase the success of fertility medications, Dr. Kristiansen is likely to use these medications along with additional fertility treatments. For Dr. Kristiansen’s patients in Houston, in vitro fertilization is one of the most common infertility treatments recommended. Fertility medications will be used during this treatment to stimulate ovulation and prepare the body for the embryo transfer. In vitro fertilization is a successful treatment for many of Dr. Kristiansen’s patients.
Schedule a Consultation
At Dr. Sonja Kristiansen’s Houston fertility center, the dream of becoming pregnant can become a reality. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kristiansen to lean about the many treatments and medications that are available to help you realize your dream of pregnancy.