Women who fail to respond to Clomid are often moved on to the next phase of fertility medications. These are injections called Gonadotrophins or FSH as they are popularly known. The commonly used FSH preparations are, Gonal F, Menopur, Fostimon or Merinol. Unlike Clomid, which aims to stimulate the pituitary gland, Gonadotrophins attempt to directly affect the ovaries and stimulate follicle development.
The injections start between day 2 and 3 of the period, and are usually recommended daily or on alternate days. Before starting treatment, scans are undertaken on day 1 to 3 of the cycle to rule out any cysts on the ovaries.
A total of 10 to 12 daily injections are normally needed to ‘grow’ one or two eggs every month. A scan will confirm when the egg(s) are ready to be released when a trigger shot (Ovitrelle or Pregnyl) is given to help the egg(s) release.
IUI (intrauterine insemination) treatment is usually recommended with the FSH injections to improve the chances of pregnancy.
Pregnancy should result within 3 to 6 months when the injections are used during each cycle.
If the treatment fails to achieve a pregnancy or if the response to the injections is not satisfactory, IVF is the next step.
For further information regarding cycle monitoring please download our leaflet here.