Common Medications Prescribed

The Food and Drug Administration has approved certain medications to treat infertility. Some of the same substances naturally occurring in the body control reproductive functions in men and women. Women who take these medications have a higher incidence of having twins or triplets or even more fetuses. However, having more than one fetus increases the risk of miscarriage.

Clomiphene citrate

Sold as Clomid® and Serophene®, clomiphene is the most commonly prescribed fertility drug. Taken orally, clomiphene "tricks" the ovaries into producing a mature egg, sometimes several. Clomiphene is usually given as the sole fertility treatment, particularly if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Side effects can include mild swelling of the ovaries, stomach pain, breast tenderness, insomnia, nausea, headaches, depression, weight gain and ovarian cysts.

Gonadotropins

Gonadotropins can help if clomiphene didn't work. You might receive it if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, luteal phase defects or an unexplained fertility problem. With ART, gonadoptropins can help your body produce several eggs.

When IVF or sometimes when IUI is planned, you are given injectable gonadotropins - drugs containing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Injections are given for several days during the first half of your menstrual cycle. Most women who take these drugs usually produce three to 10 egg follicles in a single cycle. Periodic blood tests and pelvic ultrasound scans should be done throughout drug treatment to prevent overstimulating the ovaries. So-called "hyperstimulation syndrome" is a painful enlargement of the ovaries that may require hospitalization. Side effects may include abdominal tenderness, bloating, fluid retention and weight gain.

More on Infertility

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.