6. Medications
Medications typically used for IVF cycles using the Early Retrieval/Short Protocol are listed below. Brand names of the medications you use will vary, so we've listed the generic name on the left-hand column, with general information on each medication at the top of the right-hand columns.
Estrogen Pills | Estrogen pills (Estrace) are used in IVF cycles to thicken your uterine lining (endometrium), so that your uterus is ready to welcome the transferred embryo(s).
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Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is used in IVF cycles to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
N/A | ||||
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) | hMG contains natural follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In IVF cycles, hMG is used to regulate ovulation and encourage growth of multiple eggs when clomiphene citrate did not work well.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
N/A | ||||
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | hCG is similar to LH. In an IVF cycle, one-time injection of hCG is used to trigger ovulation to get your mature eggs ready for insemination. You should wait until you are instructed specifically to administer this injection.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
N/A | ||||
Pregnyl | N/A | N/A | ||
Profasi | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
Progesterone | Progesterone is used to thicken your endometrium (lining of the uterus) so that the implantation of fertilized egg(s) will be easier. Medications used in ovarian stimulation can suppress progesterone levels in your body, so it is important to supplement it with exogenous progesterone. You will be taking both Progesterone injections and Prometrium vaginally.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
Prometrium® | N/A | |||
Progesterone | N/A | N/A | ||
Micronized Estradiol | Micronized estradiol helps maintain and build your uterine lining so that the transferred embryos will find a comfortable environment there.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
Estrace | N/A | N/A | ||
Micronized DHEA | DHEA improvers the quality of eggs and embryos.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
FERTINATAL® | N/A | N/A | ||
Coenzyme Q10 | Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) improvers the quality of eggs and embryos.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
OVOENERGENTM | N/A | N/A | ||
Baby Aspirin | Aspirin helps increases blood supply to your uterus and ovary. It also prevents clotting.
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Prenatal Vitamins | Prenatal vitamins, such as Folate, will help prevent neural tube defects. Iron will build up your blood count. Calcium helps build your babies' bones and will help you maintain yours.
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Prednisone | Prednisone suppresses male hormones and immune function.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
Prednisone | N/A | N/A | ||
Doxycycline | Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to prevent infection after the egg retrieval.
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7. FAQs
Why am I using the early retrieval protocol?
Women with normal ovarian reserve usually mature their eggs when the follicle is 18 to 20 mm in diameter. Research at CHR has shown that women with diminished ovarian reserve may mature their eggs at smaller follicular diameter. For these women, if we wait for the follicle to reach 20 mm, the eggs tend to become “atretic” which means that they have lost potential for normal function.
What are the possible problems in an early retrieval cycle?
We have to monitor very carefully, sometimes daily after the first four days of injections. You will not be using medications that can block ovulation, so you might ovulate on your own.
Why can’t we use Ganerelix or Lupron to block ovulation?
We found that trying to block ovulation can lead to further degeneration of the egg quality.
When did CHR begin using the Early Retrieval protocol?
We began this approach in early 2015.
What effects has CHR observed with the early retrieval protocol?
Since using this approach eggs we retrieve are less likely to be “atretic”, as a result we have more usable eggs and more usable embryos. We also see more immature eggs, but our lab has developed techniques to allow those eggs to mature in the laboratory.
8. Completion/Question Form
For future reference, we recommend bookmarking this page. Please click here for the Completion/Question Form where you will be asked to answer a few questions on this IVF training material, as well as have an opportunity to ask additional questions, if you have any. After you have submitted the Completion/Question Form, you will be asked to print out a certificate, so that you can bring it in with you the next time you have an appointment with CHR.
Dr. David H. Barad
David H. Barad, MD, MS, is an expert reproductive endocrinologist with decades of experience in treating women with aging ovaries and patients with multiple failed IVF cycles. Dr. Barad is Director of Assisted Reproductive Technology and Senior Scientist at CHR.
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