Medication Instructions
Services we offer
Our Services are offered to clients Nationwide and Internationally. We work with a variety of clients and will not discriminate against racial background, marital status or sexual orientation.
Our agency represents numerous donors and surrogates of all ethnic backgrounds.
Cycle Medications
- Oral Contraceptives (i.e.. Birth Control Pills) *This medications are required to be taken for a period of time (approx.30-45 days) in order to synchronize your menstrual cycle with the Intended Mother or a gestational surrogate.
- GnRH AGONIST (Lupron, Synarel or similar) will be required to be self-administered as a subcutaneous injection. Usually taken once daily for up to one month prior to the egg retrieval procedure. *This medication is used to prevent the release of eggs by ovulation and assists in maintaining proper FSH and LH levels throughout your egg donor cycle.
- FSH (Follistim, Gonal F or similar) will be required to be self-administered as a subcutaneous injection. Usually taken 1-2 times daily for 8-14 days prior to the egg retrieval procedure. *This medication will contain a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which causes follicles containing eggs to develop in the ovaries.
- HCG (Ovidrel, Profasi, Pregnyl or similar) will be required to be administered as an intramuscular injection approximately 72 hours prior to your egg retrieval procedure. Usually a one-time injection. If necessary, we will arrange for a nurse to administer this injection for you. *This medication causes the eggs to mature prior to the retrieval.
**Instruction will be provided for administering all cycle medications.**
Are there side effects to the medications?
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), possible side effects of injectable fertility medicines include:
- Mild bruising and soreness at the injection site
(using different sites for the injections can help) - Nausea and, occasionally, vomiting
- Temporary allergic reactions, such as skin reddening
and/or itching at the injection site - Breast tenderness and increased vaginal discharge
Mood swings and fatigue - Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Most symptoms of OHSS (nausea, bloating, ovarian discomfort) are mild. They usually go away without treatment within a few days after the retrieval. In severe cases, OHSS can cause large amounts of fluid to build up in the abdomen (belly) and lungs. This can cause very enlarged ovaries, dehydration, trouble breathing, and severe abdominal pain. Very rarely (in less than 1% of women having egg retrieval for IVF), OHSS can lead to blood clots and kidney failure.
Earlier reports from several decades ago suggested a link between ovarian cancer and the use of fertility medicines. However, more recent and well-done studies are reassuring and do not show this association.
It is imperative that you administer your medications exactly as instructed by the reproductive physician that you are cycling with to prevent complications. Notify the clinic immediately if you are experiencing side effects. The reproductive physicians that we work in conjunction with will monitor you very closely by means of frequent vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork to minimize the chances of adverse effects. Failure to seek proper treatment can result in extremely serious complications.