Ovufast

Hormones before artificial insemination

Drugs cannot treat some causes of infertility.

When this occurs, or when a doctor cannot identify the cause of infertility, they may recommend artificial insemination.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) involves inserting sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.

It may improve the chances of conceiving when there is an issue with the cervical mucus or the mobility of the sperm, or when the doctor cannot detect the cause of infertility.

A doctor may recommend taking the following before IUI:

• Ovulation drugs: Clomiphene or letrozole, for example, can induce the body to ovulate and, possibly, to release extra eggs.
• Ovulation trigger: Because timing the moment of ovulation is essential, many doctors recommend an ovulation “trigger” shot of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
• Progesterone: This hormone can help sustain early pregnancy, and a woman usually takes it via a vaginal suppository.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves removing one or more eggs so that a doctor can fertilize them with sperm in a petri dish. If the eggs grow into embryos, the doctor implants them into the uterus.

IVF requires several drugs, including:

• Ovulation suppression: If a woman ovulates too early, IVF may not work. Many doctors prescribe gonadotropin antagonist hormones to prevent early ovulation.
• Ovulation drugs: IVF is more likely to succeed, like IUI, if the ovaries to release several eggs. A doctor will prescribe clomiphene or letrozole to cause this.
• Ovulation trigger shot: IVF also has a better chance of success if the doctor can control the moment of ovulation using a trigger shot with the hormone hCG.
• Progesterone: A woman receiving IVF will take progesterone to help support early pregnancy.

When treating infertility, a doctor may recommend taking hormonal birth control temporarily to help regulate the menstrual cycle. It can also help prepare the body for artificial insemination.