Many women undergoing treatment for infertility are given fertility drugs when they are trying to conceive. Two of the most commonly used fertility drugs are Clomid and injections of a class of drugs known as gonadotropin releasing hormones. These contain follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) to induce ovulation. I took both of these drugs during the six years we were trying to conceive our first child, who is now ten years old. Women continue to take both classes of drugs today. For years, there have been whispers about a link between certain cancers and fertility drugs. These … Continue reading →

One of the biggest side effects of taking fertility drugs is the emotional aspect. Women taking fertility drugs often report mood swings as severe as those experienced during pregnancy. This takes a toll on the woman and her partner. It should come as no surprise that fertility drugs cause mood swings. Remember that all fertility drugs change the hormone levels in the body, specifically estrogen. This change in hormone levels is responsible for the ups and downs of your mood. Some women find the intensity of the mood swings surprising. They tend to come on suddenly and can be provoked … Continue reading →

The fertility drug Femara is also known as Letrozole. Originally used in the treatment of breast cancer, the drug was found to be effective for infertility. Initial studies show Femara is more effective than the very popular Clomid. Femara and Clomid have similar results, but work differently. Clomid works by blocking estrogen receptors. Femara works as a aromatase inhibitor. Aromatase is an enzyme which results in the production of estrogen. By blocking this enzyme, estrogen levels are decreased. Both drugs have similar side effects, resulting from the lower estrogen levels when taking either drug. The most common side effects on … Continue reading →

Gonadotropins are medications that are used in combination with infertility treatments. They work by stimulating follicle development. This increases the number of follicles that will develop. Gonadotropins are used in nearly every method of infertility treatment. These medications are sold under the brand names Gonal-F, Follistim and Metrodin. They have replaced the older medications, such as Humegon and Pergonal. The medication is delivered via intramuscular injection. The treatment involves being injected with the medication each day for between seven and ten days. During this time, you will be monitored with blood work and ultrasound. Your infertility specialist will monitor the … Continue reading →

Infertility treatments sometimes result in multiple births. While these are most often twins, pregnancies of three, four, five and six babies are sometimes seen after the use of fertility drugs and procedures. Throughout the world, the rate of multiple births is on the rise. Infertility treatments are thought to be a contributing factor. The rate of multiple births varies depending on several factors including the clinic, the type of treatments used and the type of fertility drugs used to help the couple achieve pregnancy. Fertility drugs cause more eggs to ripen and be released. More eggs results in a higher … Continue reading →

This month I’m talking about surprise babies. I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you the story of one special little girl named Lillian Rose, who surprised her parents and their family with her miraculous debut. Her story begins long before she was born in 2002, when Heather and Jeremy met while working together at a local tool store. The high school sweethearts started dating two years later. On August 6, 2006, they tied the knot. About three months after they got married, they decided to start a family, but it wasn’t long before Heather realized things weren’t going to … Continue reading →