Gonadotropins - Right For You?

Clomid is a very common drug to start women off with when they are having fertility issues. When Clomid fails, however, the next step with fertility medications is usually gonadotropins. Unlike clomiphene, which stimulates the pituitary gland, gonadotropins stimulate follicle development. While this fertility drug is usually prescribed to women, it can actually be prescribed for men as well.

Gonadotropins for Men

Men who have hormonal imbalances may be prescribed gonadotropins and they often respond well to this treatment. Gonadotropins are usually used to help men with low sperm counts or those with less then 40% motility.

Difference Types of Gonadotropins

There are a number of fertility treatments that fall under this heading. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) directly affects the production and maturation of egg follicles. These injections are supposed to help stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. The injections are given on either day 2, 3 or 4 of the woman's cycle and are continued for five days. Another option is hMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin). Like FSH, this directly stimulates the ovaries and helps the follicle to develop. This is also a fertility medication that is injected and used on women undergoing ART. The injections are administered once or twice a day and the dosage will vary depending on the woman's needs.

More Gonadotropins

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) comes from the purified urine of pregnant women. When it is used with hMG and FSH, it stimulates the follicle to release a mature egg. It is also used to help the uterine lining, thereby making implantation more likely. Again, hCG is administered through injections. Finally, Gn-RH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) actually stimulates the pituitary gland, causing the secretion of FSH and LH. It can either be given with a daily injection or with a nasal spray given twice a day.

Getting Pregnant

Unfortunately, the statistics on getting pregnant with gonadotropins vary a great deal. Between 20% and 60% of women using these will conceive. Between 70% and 80% of those who conceive will go on to have a live baby. Most pregnancies occur within the first three cycles of treatment. In general, if you aren't successful conceiving within that amount of time, you may want to change your treatment. You can only use these gonadotropins for a total of six cycles. Since these drugs stimulate egg follicles, the chances of having multiple pregnancies are between 10% and 40%.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects with gonadotropins will certainly vary from person to person. In general, common side effects include bloating, fluid retention, weight gain and tender stomach issues. Some women have a difficult time administering the shots themselves. Recent developments have made this easier, and many women are able to get used to this type of treatment.