Fertility drugs are an important aspect of every IVF treatment in Cyprus. Their price greatly varies depending on the type of fertility treatment you are recommended and whether you choose to undergo ovarian stimulation at home or in Cyprus.
Fertility drugs contain the same hormones that the body produces to encourage the development and growth of eggs in the ovaries. During ovarian stimulation, the first step in the IVF Cyprus process, our EuroCARE IVF doctor prescribes fertility drugs. The type and dosage of medication used during IVF treatment are determined based on the fertility test results and previous medical reports.
The average cost for patients who undergo IVF with their own eggs when they are staying in Cyprus for the whole treatment from beginning to end typically is between 700€ and 1200€ (785 USD and 1345 USD). Since many of our patients come from abroad, they have the option to start ovarian stimulation at home and then proceed with the treatment in Cyprus. If a patient from the UK decides that they want to undergo ovarian stimulation at home, then fertility drugs typically cost between 950 GBP to 1500 GBP (1240 USD to 1960 USD).
For IVF with Egg Donation in Cyprus, the cost of fertility drugs used for this treatment is between 200€ and 350€ (225 USD and 390 USD) if the patient chooses to have the entire treatment in Cyprus. Otherwise, it will cost between 200GBP to 350GBP (260 USD to 360 USD) if they buy the medication from the UK.
What Are Fertility Drugs?
If you’re a woman who struggles to conceive due to medical and other reasons, our fertility doctor will prescribe fertility drugs to help you conceive, These drugs stimulate the female body to release hormones that trigger or regulate ovulation. With the help of fertility drugs, a woman can produce multiple eggs instead of just one. This is important because having more eggs increases the chances of fertilization and offer a wider choice of embryos to implant.
Fertility Drugs For IVF
Around 12 percent of women have difficulty getting pregnant. Infertility can result from problems with either the male or female reproductive system or due to unknown causes. If a couple cannot get pregnant after 12 months of trying, then they should seek professional help from a fertility specialist. Women with medical conditions and genetic disorders that could affect pregnancy should talk to our EuroCARE IVF doctor before starting any treatment.
Fertility drugs are used to help women produce multiple eggs and increase the chances of fertilization and pregnancy during their IVF treatment in Cyprus. Fertility drugs should only be taken with our doctor’s prior recommendation.
Before recommending fertility drugs, our doctor must diagnose the issue using blood tests, ultrasound scans of the uterus and fallopian tubes, and previous medical reports. Based on the results from the fertility testing, each patient will be recommended an individualized treatment plan with an appropriate medication protocol.
What Fertility Drugs Work Best?
For ovarian stimulation, we usually recommend fertility drugs that contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or a combination of FSH and Luteinizing hormone (LH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Medication dosage is determined based on the fertility testing results and maternal age.
Fertility drugs can be divided into several categories, including birth control pills, stimulation drugs, ovulation drugs, hormone supplements. Each type of medicine is used at a different stage of the IVF process. Some of them are used to stimulate egg production, others to trigger or control ovulation. There are several companies that manufacture fertility drugs. Get in touch with our patient coordinator to learn more about the drugs typically used in IVF.
What Do Fertility Drugs Contain?
- Fertility Drugs for Ovarian Stimulation
These fertility drugs are used to stimulate the development of multiple eggs. They usually come in the form of shots that contain FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) or both LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH. In some cases, FSH is used to ecourage the sperm production in men.
Women who undergo IVF treatment in Cyprus will typically take stimulation injections for 10 to 12 days. During this time, the patient will be closely monitored to determine the responsiveness of the ovaries and decide if the medication dose needs to be adjusted.
- Fertility Drugs for Ovulation
An hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) injection is used during IVF in Cyprus to trigger ovulation and release of mature eggs from the ovaries. Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is also produced during pregnancy.
- Fertility Drugs that Prevent Premature Ovulation
These medications are used to prevent premature ovulation in IVF treatments and are typically taken four to five days before the egg retrieval. By controlling ovulation, these fertility drugs allow the eggs to mature and prevent ovulation before the time of the egg retrieval.
- Post Transfer Supplements
Post transfer supplements are usually prescribed to prepare the uterine lining for the embryo transfer. The lining of the uterus should be around 7 mm thick around the time of the transfer. This creates a favorable environment for the embryos to attach and continue developing. Post transfer medications sustain a healthy pregnancy, especially in the first few weeks after the embryo transfer.
- Prenatal vitamins and folic acid
Taking vitamin supplements before and during pregnancy greatly reduces the risk of birth defects. Women who consider undergoing IVF treatment in Cyprus should begin taking a multivitamin with folic acid at least a month before starting the treatment.
Fertility hormones
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone that regulates the reproductive processes in the body, including egg production in women and sperm production in men. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. FSH production is a complex system involving other hormones produced by the ovaries or testicles. In women, FSH stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. Near the end of the first half of the menstrual cycle, the FSH levels become slightly elevated, which in turn triggers the mature egg to be released. Other hormones help control the amount of FSH released by the pituitary gland. As a woman approaches menopause, ovarian function diminishes, resulting in high levels of FSH and LH.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone is important for human reproduction because it plays an important role in controlling the function of the ovaries in women and testes in men. In women, LH stimulates the ovaries to release an egg during ovulation. LH also stimulates the production of progesterone that is responsible for sustaining the pregnancy.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. When fertilization is achieved, the level of hCG increases in the blood, preparing the uterus to accept the embryo. hCG is important in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Production of hCG peaks around the 10th week of pregnancy.
Why Are Fertility Drugs Given?
Fertility drugs are recommended if the woman or man has fertility issues that require the use of assisted reproductive methods to help them conceive a child. Our doctor may recommend you have medication if:
- You’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- You have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- You have ovulation disorders or premature ovarian failure
- You have uterine fibroids or scar tissue in your uterus
- Your fallopian tubes or uterus have been removed
- You have a genetic disorder that can be passed onto the child
- The causes of infertility have not been established
- You have sperm production problems or you have sperm with an abnormal movement
How Do Fertility Drugs Work?
Our EuroCARE IVF doctor will prescribe injectable fertility drugs to women who have difficulty getting pregnant. Fertility drugs contain hormones that are produced by the female body. These hormones are identical to the human pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that encourage the growth of the eggs in the ovaries. Ovarian stimulation is an effective way to enhance fertility success.
Ovarian stimulation injections are administered subcutaneously (under the skin with a very small needle). These medications can’t be taken orally because the protein contained in the hormones would be destroyed during digestion. Depending on your situation, our EuroCARE IVF doctor will determine the type and dosage of the fertility drugs you need in order to develop a given number of eggs for retrieval.
During the stimulation phase, our patients undergo regular ultrasound exams and blood tests in order to determine the size of the egg follicles (the sacs where the eggs grow) in the ovaries and to ensure that the ovaries are not at risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). When it is determined that the eggs are mature, patients receive an injection of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) also known as a trigger shot. This hormone stimulates the release of eggs in the ovaries (ovulation). 34-36 hours after the hCG injection, an egg retrieval procedure will be carried out at our IVF clinic in Cyprus.
Are Fertility Drugs Safe?
Fertility drugs are generally safe. The most serious complication associated with stimulation medication is ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS). Some of the symptoms of OHSS are rapid weight gain, enlarged ovaries, and abdominal pain. OHSS is an uncommon condition that can be avoided through regular ultrasound scans and blood work during the ovarian stimulation phase.
Where Can I Buy Fertility Drugs?
Our clinic works with a number of UK pharmacies that can deliver the medication to you directly. Full details will be sent to you by our EuroCARE IVF coordinator with your prescription and medication protocol. Once you complete ovarian stimulation, further medication will be required and prescribed by our IVF doctor on your (or your donor’s) egg retrieval day. Again, full details will be provided for you by our fertility team.
What Fertility Drugs Increase Chances of Twins?
Fertility drugs work by increasing the number of eggs produced in a woman’s ovaries. If more eggs are produced, the higher your chances of fertilization and pregnancy success. Many of the fertility drugs are used by women who struggle to fall pregnant to increase their chances of having twins. Some of these medications are used in IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) treatments to increase the body’s hormones that stimulate ovulation.
Hormone injections are also used in IVF procedures to stimulate the woman’s ovaries to produce more eggs. These drugs contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or a combination of FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). When the woman is producing more eggs, there is a higher chance that more eggs will be fertilized. The chances of a twin pregnancy in IVF depends on the number of embryos transferred to your uterus.
IVF and Twins
To give the patient the best chance of pregnancy, multiple embryos may be transferred. The number of embryos depends on multiple factors, including embryo quality, stage of development and maternal age. At EuroCARE IVF Clinic in North Cyprus, we typically transfer two to three embryos to increase the chance of implantation – this also means, a twin pregnancy is likely to occur.
Fertility Drugs and IVF Treatment at the EuroCARE IVF Clinic in Cyprus
If you are struggling to conceive for more than twelve months (women under 35) or for six months (women over 35), then you should seek treatment for infertility. The EuroCARE IVF clinic in Cyprus offers a variety of fertility treatments designed to help you with the conception of a baby. Receiving the right diagnosis is critical when choosing a drug-based treatment, so it is best to speak with our specialist before starting IVF treatment in Cyprus.
Initial consultations are a great opportunity to get to know the fertility team and discuss suitable treatment plans and medication protocols in detail. The type and dosage of medication that will be used during your IVF treatment will depend on the fertility test results and previous medical reports. Get a free consult now!