Injectable fertility medications help many patients start or grow a family
Patients who visit our Connecticut fertility clinic often use injectable fertility medications during treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). These medications play an important role in the development and maturation of a woman’s eggs.
Dr. Andrew Levi and his team support patients in getting the medications they need by connecting them with specialty pharmacies. In addition, we provide comprehensive instructions explaining how to administer the medications.
The most common injectable fertility medications
At our Connecticut fertility clinic, Dr. Levi prescribes various injectable fertility medications that help make parenthood possible.
Stimulation of ovarian follicles and egg maturation. Women undergoing an IVF cycle with their own eggs take follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) medications for 10 to 13 days. These injectable medications cause the ovarian follicles to grow and the eggs to mature. Common brand names for FSH medications are Follistim and Gonal-F.
Women also take a menotropin medication to stimulate egg production. A menotropin is a combination hormonal medication that contains FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). Menopur is the most common brand name.
Ovulation prevention. At a certain point, Dr. Levi will instruct the woman to take a GnRH-antagonist medication to stop the ovaries from releasing the maturing eggs. Common brand names are Ganirelix and Cetrotide.
Preparation of eggs for retrieval. When the ovarian follicles reach an ideal size, the woman takes a hCG medication that triggers the final maturation of the eggs. Dr. Levi retrieves the eggs during a short procedure 35 to 36 hours after the hCG injection. Common brand names for hCG trigger shots are Ovidrel, Novarel and Pregnyl.
Dr. Levi might also prescribe Lupron, which is not a hCG medication, as a trigger shot.
Our team stays in regular communication with patients to ensure they understand their medication dosage and administration.
Helpful tips for fertility injections
In addition to carefully following the instructions our clinic provides for injectable fertility medications, patients can use various tips to make the process more comfortable.
Take the injections at the correct time. Women can ensure they administer their IVF medications at the right time by setting a daily timer.
Use a private space. Utilizing a private space that is free of distractions can help women properly administer the injections.
Wash hands and prepare the materials. To create a sanitary environment, women can wipe off the area where they’ll place the injection materials, wash their hands and then organize the medications.
Numb the injection site with ice. While many report that fertility injections only feel like a mild pinch, women can reduce discomfort by holding a piece of ice on the injection site for about a minute before giving the shot.
Relax the abdomen. Taking slow, deep breaths and relaxing the abdomen as much as possible can make it easier to gather a portion of skin on the stomach. This is the typical injection site for fertility medications.
These tips can help the woman feel comfortable and confident when taking fertility medications.
The staff at our Connecticut fertility clinic is here to support patients on the exciting journey of building a healthy family through IVF. Contact us for more information about IVF and other fertility treatments.
