Pregnancy Tips
Clomiphene citrate This was widely used in IVF treatment a decade or more ago, but has now generally been dropped. Clomiphene citrate is an anti-oestrogen which suppresses the natural level of oestrogen produced in the woman's body. This stimulates her system into naturally producing more follicle-stimulating and luteinising hormones to encourage the development of the follicles.
Some doctors feel that clomiphene citrate has its merits, and is still used sometimes for ovulation induction. However, it can some¬times produce an unpredictable surge of hormones resulting in the release of eggs before they can be collected. If this happens in an IVF cycle, treatment has to be abandoned.
Many women who have fertility problems may find they are prescribed clomiphene citrate at some stage during investigations or treatment, as the drug is used outside of IVF and the more advanced forms of assisted conception. It is quite widely prescribed by GPs for women who are thought to have problems with their ovulation. It may be taken for a number of cycles to try to stimulate the ovaries, but without the monitoring that accompanies IVF and similar treatments.
Progesterone The final drug in the IVF cycle is progesterone, which may be given either as an injection or pessaries following egg collection. Progesterone is a hormone normally produced by the corpus luteum, the remnant of the follicle left in the ovary after the egg has been released. It prepares the womb to receive the embryo and also helps to support the early pregnancy.
Since the drugs used in the first part of IVF treatment knock out the woman's natural hormonal system, many doctors feel that progesterone levels need to be supplemented, although this is disputed. Sometimes an alternative drug is prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce progesterone naturally.
If the IVF treatment works, and the woman becomes pregnant, the progesterone may be continued for up to three months into the pregnancy. Again, its benefits are disputed, sometimes even by the doctors who prescribe it. Perhaps they only do so on the basis that it might reassure the woman that everything possible is being done to support her pregnancy. The progesterone can also have side-effects, including hot flushes and mood swings.
Some doctors feel that clomiphene citrate has its merits, and is still used sometimes for ovulation induction. However, it can some¬times produce an unpredictable surge of hormones resulting in the release of eggs before they can be collected. If this happens in an IVF cycle, treatment has to be abandoned.
Many women who have fertility problems may find they are prescribed clomiphene citrate at some stage during investigations or treatment, as the drug is used outside of IVF and the more advanced forms of assisted conception. It is quite widely prescribed by GPs for women who are thought to have problems with their ovulation. It may be taken for a number of cycles to try to stimulate the ovaries, but without the monitoring that accompanies IVF and similar treatments.
Progesterone The final drug in the IVF cycle is progesterone, which may be given either as an injection or pessaries following egg collection. Progesterone is a hormone normally produced by the corpus luteum, the remnant of the follicle left in the ovary after the egg has been released. It prepares the womb to receive the embryo and also helps to support the early pregnancy.
Since the drugs used in the first part of IVF treatment knock out the woman's natural hormonal system, many doctors feel that progesterone levels need to be supplemented, although this is disputed. Sometimes an alternative drug is prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce progesterone naturally.
If the IVF treatment works, and the woman becomes pregnant, the progesterone may be continued for up to three months into the pregnancy. Again, its benefits are disputed, sometimes even by the doctors who prescribe it. Perhaps they only do so on the basis that it might reassure the woman that everything possible is being done to support her pregnancy. The progesterone can also have side-effects, including hot flushes and mood swings.
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