Are Multiple Births Always Due to Fertility Drugs ?

Like in vitro fertilization and some fertility treatments,stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple eggs,
fertility drugs may lead to more than one birth in awhich may also lead to multiple births. Finally,
single conception with some women. It is alwaysinjections of FSH stimulate the production of multiple
important to remember, however, that everyeggs, which again may lead to multiple births.
woman is different and just because one womanHowever, multiple births are not always the case and
who took fertility drugs ends up with multiple birthsmany women taking fertility drugs who successfully
doesn't mean that all women will have the samebecome pregnant subsequently give birth to just one
outcome.child. According to the American Society of
The most common cause of infertility in women is aReproductive Medicine, in cases where multiple eggs
failure to ovulate. Many drugs for fertility work toare produced, one in three women who become
correct this problem by stimulating the release ofpregnant will have numerous births.
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizingMultiple births may lead to certain risks that women
hormone (LH). FSH stimulates the ovarian follicleshould be aware of before undergoing fertility
which consists of the egg and any surrounding fluidstreatment or taking fertility drugs. These risks include
and hormones, while LH works to stimulate ovulation.premature births, low birth weight and certain
Some of the fertility drugs for women includedevelopmental problems. To help combat the risk of
clomiphene citrate, human chorionic gonadotropin,multiple births, a fertility doctor may monitor the
human menopausal gonadotropin and injections ofwoman's egg production while taking fertility drugs. In
follicle stimulating hormone. The first causes thecases where a large number of eggs are produced,
pituitary gland to release FSH and LH, while thethe fertility doctor may recommend avoiding
second is an injectable treatment to stimulateconception for the month.
ovulation and helps to enhance the maturity of eggs.In cases of fertility treatments that involve the
The latter may lead to the release of multiple eggs,transfer of embryos to the uterus or other parts of
which may result in multiple births. The former hasthe reproductive system, the number of embryos
been associated with a lower rate of excessiveused may be limited to reduce the chances of
births by some accounts.multiple births. Still, however, multiple embryos may
The third type of fertility drug mentioned is also anbe transferred to help improve the chances of
injectable drug that also contains FSH and LH. Itconception.