If you have gone through the anxiety of finding out that you may have fertility issues then you’ve probably had a few lengthy discussions with your doctor. It’s not easy to find out that there may be a stumbling block on your road to parenthood. Your doctor will then give you various solutions that could combat your infertility, and one of those solutions may be fertility drugs.

There are so many options available when it comes to medication in general. So, of course, there would be options available in terms of treating infertility. It does depend on the diagnosis though. Ovulation induction medication is referred to as fertility drugs. It would be prescribed in the case where a woman may have an irregular menstrual cycle and thus has difficulty to conceive. The ovulation induction medication would be used to stimulate the follicles in the ovaries in order to produce multiple eggs in one cycle. The medication would also control when the eggs are released, i.e. when ovulation occurs, so that sexual intercourse can be scheduled. As the timing of ovulation can be determined, it also enables the doctor to schedule in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination procedures for the best chances of pregnancy. A woman who takes fertility drugs, usually via injections, is monitored regularly by ultrasound scans and hormone assessments to check that everything is going according to plan.

However, there are certain risks that are associated with fertility drugs and it would depend on each individual what the symptoms may be. One of the risks is an increase in the chance of multiple births. That means that you may conceive triplets or quadruplets, or more. Another risk includes the development of ovarian cysts. The next side effect is quite rare but could occur and that is ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS). The symptoms include severe pain in the pelvis, abdomen and chest. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, weight gain and difficulty with breathing.

Your fertility doctor will discuss your diagnosis with you as well as the prognosis. Along with this discussion, the side effects and the risks of the course of treatment will also be mentioned. The fertility doctor will then ask you if you wish to proceed with the course of treatment, as the choice lies with you. If you feel uncomfortable or uncertain at all, you can seek a second opinion or decline the course of treatment and consider other options. Remember that it is always advisable to seek professional advice on any medical matter.

BioART Fertility Centre offers a unique experience in fertility treatment. We have a long history of state of the ART fertility care delivered with a personal touch. Each and every patient is treated as a unique couple with individual problems and needs. We combine a dignified and compassionate approach with state-of-the-art, advanced reproductive technologies.

Contact Us: +27 11 484 5119