Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonists: Lupron
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists are the first drug you would have to use. You will administer them through shots once per day for about twelve days. Also, you will administer one injection per day in combination with a gonadotropin therapy (which we will cover later in this article) for a total of about 22 days.
The main task of this medicine is to stop the release of eggs. Furthermore, it can also control the levels of female hormones. Namely, drugs like Lupron affect the work of the pituitary gland. As a result, it lowers the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels.
The main reason doctors use these drugs is to normalize the reaction to the other medicine. But, these agonists also reduce the risk of the egg donation cycle cancellation.
Studies have shown that this medicine is harmless. Furthermore, it vanishes from the body in several hours.
Potential side effects include hot flashes, headaches, and moodiness. However, there are no reports of long-term side effects
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist: Cetrotide and Ganirelix Acetate
Injections with GnRH antagonists should be taken once per day, or once every three days with gonadotropins for about five to six days. Usually, donors will only use these medications after four or five days of being on a gonadotropin therapy.
These drugs can be used instead of Lupron (a GnRH agonist) in order to stop ovulation. Namely, these drugs can support better cycle control.
Gonadotropins: Repronex, Menopur, Gonal F, Follistim, Bravelle
Gonadotropins (or follicle-stimulating hormones) support the production of additional eggs. Donors should receive one shot of these drugs per day for about ten days. Gonadotropins work by helping the body develop multiple sacs or follicles in order to make many eggs.
Potential side effects include headaches, moodiness, bloating, and fatigue. In rare cases, these drugs can cause the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). The OHSS is a sign that the body is “overly responsive” to follicle-stimulating hormones. The treatment of this syndrome can be very simple and easy. However, failing to get treatment can lead to complications.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: Ovidrel, Pregnyl, Profasi
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is the pregnancy hormone. It is given as a single injection about 34 hours before the egg retrieval. For that reason, the popular name for hCG is “ the trigger shot.” The goal of the “trigger shot” is to help the body mature the eggs. Essentially, this medicine prepares the eggs for retrieval. The human chorionic gonadotropin is extremely important for the procedure. In fact, without the injection of this drug, the in-vitro fertilization would be impossible.
Potential side effects include bloating, fatigue, moodiness, and headaches. However, we should also note that there are no reports of long-term side effects.
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