|
If you are infertile due to a problem with ovulation, your doctor may recommend treatment with a fertility drug. These medications are used to regulate or induce ovulation. In general, they are designed to work like your own hormones. Fertility drugs are either used alone or in combinations depending on the reason for your ovulatory problem. Ovulation rates (and subsequent pregnancies) after taking one or more of these medications depend on the reason you are being treated, your age, and the presence of other factors, such as underlying medical problems. Currently used fertility medications may include clomiphene citrate (Clomid®, Serophene®), gonadotropins, letrozole (Femara®, Amiridex®), bromocriptine (Parlodel®) or cabergoline (Dostinex®).
Fertility drugs, on occasion, may be responsible for multiple births. The risk of multiple pregnancies depends on the drug, or combination of drugs being used. For example, clomiphene citrate rarely results in a pregnancy with more than twins, while hMG and FSH are more likely to cause multiple births, including twins, triplets, or more. Multiple pregnancies increase your likelihood of having premature labor. Babies born prematurely are at increased risk of medical and developmental problems.
You should discuss with your fertility doctor if any steps are available to reduce your risk of multiple pregnancies. If you are considering the use of fertility drugs, you and your partner should discuss the issue of multiple pregnancies with your fertility doctor before starting therapy.
|
