Within the realm of infertility, treatments there are many medications that are used to assist both men and women. However, women are most commonly treated with medications and for a multitude of reasons. Occasionally there will be a combination of medications used to treat a combination of fertility issues. Medications can be used to treat the infertility cause or they can be used to prepare the female body for infertility treatments. Some medications are used to assist the body in releasing healthy eggs from the ovaries or to increase the amount of eggs being released from the ovaries. Other medications are used to balance hormones, treat smaller problems such as infections, regulating the reproductive cycle, and improving the integrity of the female uterus. These medications are all used by prescription only and are regulated by the fertility specialist overseeing the treatment.

Many women need assistance with ovulation. These medications are used for ovarian stimulation:

1. Clomiphene Citrate - Brand names called Clomid and Serophene are administered orally in tablet form and are used to stimulate ovulation. This medication is typically used in women who have long cycles or who have infrequent periods.

2. Synthetic Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) - This medication is administered by intramuscular injection and is used in the final process of ovarian stimulation for retrieval of eggs to be used in InVitro Fertilization. HCG induces maturation of the eggs and will signal the body to release the eggs within 48 hours if the eggs are not retrieved beforehand. Common brand names are Pregnyl, Profasi, and Novarel.

3. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) - This medication is an injection that is given just below the skin. The role of this medication is to directly stimulate follicle growth within the ovaries. FSH is given in the beginning stages of treatment in an effort to stimulate the ovaries to make multiple healthy eggs to be used further in procedures that assist with conception.

4. Human Menopausal Gonadotropins (HMG) - This medication is an injection that works similarly to the FSH medications. The difference is that the HMG's are the most potent ovary stimulating drugs that are available. The majority of multiple pregnancies are a result of this medication. Common brand names include Humegon, Pergonal, and Repronex.

5. Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone - this medication is used to signal the ovaries to release the eggs that have been stimulated. This is used when the eggs will not be retrieved for procedure but are being left inside the female body for fertilization there.

Occasionally, women will ovulate before their bodies have the opportunity to make an adequate supply of healthy eggs that are ready to be fertilized. Treatment for this condition is the use of mediations that prevent premature ovulation. Many women have good results with these types of medications. They are called GnRH Agonists and GnRH Antagonists.

Two other medications that are commonly used in treatment of infertility are

1. Medrol, which is a steroid, is taken orally everyday for four days to assist with implantation of the fertilized eggs.

2. Doxycylcine is an antibiotic that is given to both partners. The male partner takes this drug during the female stimulation phase in order to reduce the levels of bacteria that can be found in semen. The female takes this medication to prevent infections that can develop as a result of egg retrieval procedures and follicle aspirations.

3. Progesterone is administered by injection after ovulation or egg retrieval to assist with implantation and successful formation of the placenta.