Medication Used in ART

•  works as an aromatase inhibitor (in the normal human reproductive system, oestrogen (female hormone) is produced when androgens (male hormone) are converted by an enzyme, aromatase – Letrozole stops this process by blocking the action of aromatase)

•  produces a fall in oestrogen levels which then enhances the release of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland in the base of the brain, stimulating the growth of follicles and eggs in the ovary

•  is the preferred option, when used with FSH, in IUI cycles

•  in Australia, Letrozole is most commonly used to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer recurring in women with the diagnosis because many breast cancers are oestrogen dependant and Letrozole produces a fall in oestrogen levels. It is not a chemotherapy drug. The half life of letrozole is 45 hours, meaning that it essentially disappears from the system after 9 days.

•  in Europe, the United States and some Australian clinics, Letrozole is used in 5-day courses to induce ovulation as well as in IVF cycles.

•  Letrozole is the preferred drug for use in Ovulation induction at Ballarat IVF

BENEFIT: It reduces side effects of nausea, hot flushes and, rarely, headaches (compared to clomiphene).

BENEFIT: It achieves comparable pregnancy rates to other drugs.

BENEFIT: When used in conjunction with FSH, it can be useful in improving pregnancy outcomes in women who do not produce a high number of eggs in ART cycles.

•  a synthetic hormone that causes the pituitary gland to produce more Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) than in the natural cycle

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is uncommon and potentially serious. Most women notice no side effects. There are no long-term adverse effects. Some women have unpleasant menopause-type symptoms during the 5 days when taking the drug, and sometimes for a few days following, such as hot flushes, mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability and headaches.

Rare symptom – visual symptoms of flashing lights and halos around objects. There have been many studies to see whether there is a link between this drug and birth defects. No link has been found.

•  has been used long-term for IVF treatment in Australia

•  used to control timing of the egg pick up in IVF stimulation cycles

•  works at the level of the pituitary gland to prevent the release of the hormones that bring about ovulation

•  Is most commonly used as a “trigger” injection when the woman is at risk of OHSS in “antagonist” cycles

•  Synarel is a nasal spray and is administered by inhalation

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Most women notice no side effects. Some women notice hot flushes, headaches and nausea.

•  new drugs used to block ovulation during IVF stimulation cycles

•  allows for a shorter treatment cycle

•  reduces the risk of hyperstimulation

•  used in more naturally based treatment cycles

•  a highly purified synthetic FSH

•  administered as a subcutaneous (just under the skin) injection

•  used to increase the amount of FSH in the woman’s circulation so that all follicles in her ovary that are capable of growing get enough ‘fuel’ to help them continue to grow healthily (in a natural cycle all but one follicle would be deprived of this ‘fuel’)

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is common and potentially serious. Some women notice pain at the injection site.

Rare symptom – an itch and a generalised drug reaction rash at the injection site.

•  a hormone that occurs naturally – used as an ovulation trigger

•  hCG causes eggs to be released from the ovaries

•  hCG causes the production of progesterone from the follicle that has released its egg

•  sometimes used in low doses after embryo transfer 

•  sometimes used in low doses to improve egg quality during treatment

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Some women notice breast enlargement and ovarian tenderness.

•  allows us to identify your ovulation days and arrange the correct day for your procedure 

•  used for patients having treatment for Ovulation Induction, DI, IUI and Freeze Thaw cycles

•  a urine test kit that detects a rise or ‘surge’ in Luteinising Hormone (LH) that occurs the day before ovulation

•  used in clinics since the 1960s

•  a synthetic product

•  induces similar effects to the body’s own progesterone

•  used to control the cycle and timing of egg pick up

•  this drug or the pill is used worldwide during pre-treatment to plan the woman’s stimulated cycle

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects are rare because of the low dosage we use and the short duration of treatment. Some women notice breast tenderness, bloating and mood swings.

•  a hormone

•  used to prepare the lining of the uterus prior to progesterone pessary therapy and embryo transfer in frozen thaw HRT cycles

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Some women notice nausea and tender breasts (similar to early pregnancy symptoms.)

These symptoms are more common when higher doses are used – this is sometimes necessary to develop the lining of the uterus properly.

•  used to regulate a woman’s menstrual periods

•  used in combination with the stimulation drugs to ensure the timing of egg pick up is predictable – to help us plan your treatment cycle

•  used widely by women to control their fertility – if you have used it and did not find it suitable you should not take it during IVF treatment

•  women over 37 years who smoke or who have high blood pressure may not be able to take the pill

•  women with a history of liver problems or thrombosis should avoid taking it

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Some women notice nausea, bloating, weight gain and mood swings.

•  used following embryo transfer

•  used to overcome the problem of a short cycle in the second half (or luteal phase) 

•  for women having freeze thaw embryo transfers, to keep the pregnancy attached to the uterus until the 10th week of pregnancy – once the placenta develops the pessaries are no longer needed

MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Some women notice cramps, headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings.

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