| Probably the best-known fertility drug in the United | | | | potassium and, in cases of long-term use, hair loss. |
| States is Clomiphene, also known as Serophene or | | | | Antagon is a form of gonadotropin-releasing hormone |
| Clomid. It comes in tablet form and is relatively safe. | | | | antagonist. It helps regulate ovulation in women |
| However, like many drugs, it has some potential side | | | | undergoing treatment or chemotherapy. It is injected |
| effects. These include headache, mood swings, | | | | to increase the body's production of luteinizing |
| vaginal dryness and ovarian cysts. There is also a 10 | | | | hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone. The |
| percent chance that a woman who takes Clomiphene | | | | increased hormone levels cause the ovaries to cease |
| will have twins. | | | | producing eggs. The side effects of Antagon include |
| At the Reproductive Resource Center of Greater | | | | insomnia, headaches, hot flashes and vaginal dryness. |
| Kansas City, fertility doctors use Clomiphene to | | | | Human menopausal gonadotropin, which is produced |
| induce or improve ovulation because it helps the body | | | | under the names Pergonal, Repronex and Menopur, is |
| make more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is | | | | an injectable mix of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating |
| important in the process. However, Clomiphene is | | | | hormones. It can be used to assist women who don't |
| only one of the drugs that might be chosen to boost | | | | ovulate or ovulate rarely, as well as women who do |
| fertility. | | | | ovulate, by helping in egg maturation and release. |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone in a form known as | | | | Depending on the objective of the therapy, fertility |
| Follistim or Gonal-f is synthetic FSH. It is used to help | | | | drugs can be used to either increase or decrease |
| induce ovulation. It can also be used to encourage | | | | fertility. They are important tools in a comprehensive |
| development of multiple eggs for use in in vitro | | | | approach to women's needs. The physicians at |
| fertilization (IVF). Side effects of Follistim or Gonal-f | | | | Kansas City's Reproductive Resource Center make |
| include head and muscle aches, enlarged ovaries, | | | | use of drugs as well as other means to help women |
| irritability and breast tenderness. | | | | achieve their reproductive goals. |
| Heparin, in the form of Hep-Lock or Liquaemin, is a | | | | The best way to learn about fertility treatment |
| blood thinner used to reduce the risk of miscarriage. | | | | options is to consult a physician who specializes in |
| It is injected in women whose blood-clotting disorders | | | | fertility. He or she can discuss the full spectrum of |
| appear to cause recurrent loss of pregnancy. Heparin | | | | alternatives and indicate help determine the optimal |
| can have side-effects, such as skin rash, heavy | | | | choice. |
| bleeding, back pain, stomach pain, high blood | | | | |