Fertility drugs are extremely effective and are often the first treatment option prescribed by doctors.The medication you will need during your treatment cycle will depend on which IVF treatment you are having.
IVF Treatment Using Your Own Eggs
During IVF, Tandem, PGS, and Sperm Donation treatment cycles, we must stimulate your eggs to mature and develop them as best as possible. The medication and dosage you will require will be determined from your test results and your prescription organized accordingly. The most common medications we use are:
Gonadotropins. These are medications which help to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles which contain the eggs. Common brand names for gonadotropins are Gonal F®, Follistim®, Menopur®. They are given subcutaneously (underneath the skin) by a very thin/short needle. These injections are normally needed for 9/10 days, however the duration can vary from patient to patient as it depends entirely on the eggs development which we cannot predict.
Ovitrelle. When the eggs are ready, as confirmed by your IVF doctor in Cyprus, a final trigger injection is administered – Ovitrelle. This medication stimulates the final maturation of the eggs in the ovaries so they are ready for collection. Ovitrelle is a recombinant (made in the laboratory) form of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG – the pregnancy hormone.
Cetrotide. This medication is needed in order to prevent premature ovulation (early release of eggs from the ovary) in IVF treatment cycles, allowing more time for egg maturation and safe collection. Cetrotide is normally taken for 4/5 days prior to the egg collection date. The timing is determined by your doctor in Cyprus which is why a scan is important during the stimulation phase. Cetrotide is a medicine that contains the active substance Cetroreli, which is a synthetic form of a natural hormone called gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH).
IVF Treatment Using an Egg Donor
During an IVF cycle where you are using an egg donor, the medication changes, as we do not need to stimulate your own eggs. Your specially selected donor in Cyprus will administer the injections to prepare her eggs for collection.
If you still have a regular period cycle, then you will need to use:
Gonapeptyl Depot. This injection is also known as Lucrin Depot or Decapeptyl Depot in some countries. This contains the active ingredient triporelin acetate, which is a type of medicine known as gonadorelin (LNRH) analogue. This injection is required in order to suppress the menstrual cycle and the level of ovarian hormones in preparation for the IVF treatment.
Progynova. These tablets contain the active ingredient estradiol valerate which is a naturally occurring form of the main female sex hormone estrogen. These tablets are required to thicken the womb lining in the lead up to embryo transfer, as it must be an adequate thickness to give the embryos the best chance of implanting.
If you no longer have a regular period cycle or it has stopped completely, we can still go ahead with an IVF treatment cycle for you using an egg donor. Your medication protocol will differ slightly.
Our expert consultants will be with you every step of the way to advise how to take the medication and answer all the questions you have.
How Do I Get Medication to Take Before Arriving?
Organizing the medication is very straightforward. We work with a number of pharmacies in Cyprus, the UK, and other locations that can deliver the medication to you directly. Full details will be sent to you by your Consultant with your prescription and medication protocol.
Once in Cyprus, further medication will be required and prescribed by our expert IVF doctor on your (or your donors) egg collection day. This can vary depending on how your treatment progresses, however, an essential medication for everyone undergoing IVF treatment is Progesterone. This is taken in the form of a pessary and prepares the womb to receive the fertilized eggs and maintains the pregnancy. Full details will be provided for you by your EuroCARE IVF doctor and patient coordinators.
If you’re exploring fertility treatments or have questions about IVF medications, contact us today. Our expert team is here to guide you through every step of your journey.
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