Injectable Gonadotropin Medication Cycle

Injectable gonadotropin is a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that essentially wakes up your ovaries, telling them to develop eggs. It may be the third treatment option recommended by your doctor.

This injectable is self-administered after we check the health of your ovaries by ultrasound. We partner with you throughout your menstrual cycle to achieve the highest success rate possible.

Treatment steps with gonadotropin

1. Call our clinic on the first day of full menstrual flow (cycle day 1) to schedule a baseline ultrasound by the third day of your cycle. This allows us to check for ovarian cysts in the ovaries.
2. After you receive the go-ahead from us (and training on how you or your partner can administer your injectable) you will begin your gonadotropin injections at home, the evening of day three of your cycle (CD3), and continue nightly until a set date. The medications are to be injected subcutaneously (into fatty tissue injection sites).
3. You will receive a follow-up ultrasound, usually on day seven of your cycle, to monitor the response of your ovaries to the injectables. Your doctor will determine if you are receiving the proper dose based on the number and size of the follicles (developing eggs) seen on the ultrasound, and adjust as needed. An ultrasound may be performed every two to three days to monitor the growth of your follicles.
4. Once you are producing promising eggs/the lead follicle(s) measure at least 16-18 mm in diameter, we will provide you with another set of instructions as to the timing of the HCG injection (to coordinate ovulation induction and your IUI appointment). Ovulation typically occurs 40 hours after administration of the HCG injection.

Possible side effects of gonadotropin

With injectable gonadotropin, most women do not suffer any side effects. Occasionally, women experience bloating and breast tenderness. It does come with a risk of multiple pregnancies, depending on the number of oocytes (eggs) that develop, and your age.

Other considerations/recommendations

We may ask you to restrict your activities to help maintain a pulse rate below 140bpm and avoid exercise activities such as aerobics, running, jogging, or cycling. These activities may cause discomfort due to the enlarged ovaries.

We recommend that you arrive with a full bladder on the day of your scheduled IUI. The IUI procedure is comparable to a PAP smear. Please plan on resting for about 10 minutes after the insemination. You can then return to your usual activities.