Ovulation Induction

If fertility testing shows that a woman has an ovulatory problem, and a medication such as clomiphene citrate does not result in conception, other fertility medications may be then used to induce follicle development and ovulation.

These medications are usually prescribed by a Fertility Specialist, also known as a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE). They are usually given by self-injection.

Ovulation induction and the reproductive cycle

During the follicular phase of a woman's reproductive cycle, a medication such as Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection), a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may be prescribed. FSH stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary and helps produce eggs.

Around the 11th day of the cycle, a single injection of a medication such as Ovidrel® PreFilled Syringe (choriogonadotropin alfa injection), a human choriogonadotropin (hCG), may be given to facilitate the last step in the maturation of the developing eggs and trigger ovulation. The eggs are released, ready to be fertilized.

At this point, fertilization is attempted either through sexual intercourse or artificial insemination (AI). AI is a procedure in which the healthcare provider inserts sperm directly into a woman's reproductive tract. AI is usually performed in cases where a woman has poor or absent cervical mucus or a man has a low sperm count or sperm motility. A common AI procedure is intrauterine insemination, a procedure in which the healthcare provider inserts sperm directly into the uterus near the time of ovulation.

Ovulation induction treatment

See how a woman's cycle progresses day by day while she's undergoing ovulation induction.

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Important Considerations
As with all prescription medications, side effects may occasionally occur with use of fertility drugs. Doctors specializing in fertility or reproductive health should only prescribe these products. Patients prescribed gonadotropins and GnRH analogs should be monitored carefully by a trained fertility specialist. Risks include the following events which can be serious: hypersensitivity reactions; ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); pulmonary and vascular complications, and multiple births. For complete product details about a specific fertility drug, please refer to the Full Prescribing Information offered below.

RFF: Revised Formulation Female

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Important Considerations:
Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the oligo-anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® RFF Pen is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® RFF Pen (follitropin alfa injection) should only be prescribed by physicians specializing in fertility or reproductive health. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing mild to severe adverse reactions, including Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications, and multiple births. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to FSH preparations, primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction and pregnancy. Nursing women should not use Gonal-f®. Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, enlarged abdomen, and injection site disorders. For complete product details, see full prescribing information.

Important Considerations:
Women: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of ovulation and pregnancy in the anovulatory infertile patient in whom the cause of infertility is functional and not due to primary ovarian failure. Gonal-f® is also indicated for the development of multiple follicles in the ovulatory patient participating in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program.
Men: Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) is indicated for the induction of spermatogenesis in men with primary and secondary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in whom the cause of infertility is not due to primary testicular failure. Gonal-f® (follitropin alfa for injection) should only be prescribed by physicians who are thoroughly familiar with infertility problems and their management. Gonal-f® is a potent gonadotropic substance capable of causing Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in women with or without pulmonary or vascular complications. Gonal-f® is contraindicated in women and men who exhibit prior hypersensitivity to recombinant FSH preparations or one of their excipients, high levels of FSH indicating primary gonadal failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, sex hormone dependent tumors of the reproductive tract and accessory organs, and an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor; and in women who exhibit abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, ovarian cyst or enlargement of undetermined origin and pregnancy. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Gonal-f®. The most common side effects in patients using Gonal-f® include headache, ovarian cysts, nausea and upper respiratory infections in women and in men, acne, breast pain and growth, and fatigue. Injection site reactions were also reported. Reports of multiple births have been associated with Gonal-f® treatment. For complete product details, see the full prescribing information.

For complete product details, please read the Prescribing Information offered below.


© EMD Serono, Inc. CIM Last Update 2008-09-16
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