6. Medications
For IVF cycles using the Standard Lupron Protocol, there are five main medications. The five main medications are followed by six support medications that you may be instructed to take. 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. For usage instructions of the specific brand-name medication you will be using, click on the icons below (standard lupron cycle & standard lupron cycle).
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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Leuprolide Acetate | In IVF cycles, Leuprolide Acetate (often called Lupron, even though it's a brand name--a bit like Band Aid and Hoover) is used to prevent premature ovulation. Because Leuprolide Acetate does this by suppressing the estrogen production in your body, you will need Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FHS) and/or Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG) to encourage follicular development.
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Brand Name | Printable Instruction | Video Instructions | Prescribing Information | |
N/A | ||||
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 | Video | |||
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 Microdose Lupron?
If you are a woman who is over age 40, or has premature ovarian aging (POA), then you are especially sensitive to ovarian suppression. When Lupron is used as supplied from the manufacturer, it will profoundly suppress your own hormonal function. We use Microdose Lupron (highly diluted leuprolide acetate) to avoid suppressing your system too much.
How long will my Microdose Lupron cycle take from the start to finish?
You will begin preparation for your cycle with estrogen pills about 10 days before your menstrual period (See the timeline section above). Once you begin using Microdose Lupron, your retrieval will be 8-18 days later. Your embryo transfer will follow three to five days later. In other words, from preparation to embryo transfer, it will take approximately four weeks.
How many visits should I expect to make?
Approximately 5-8 visits.
What if my husband/partner will be out of town during the treatment?
We can freeze his sperm for back-up, in case he is not in town on the day of your IVF procedure. If he turns out to be in town on the day of the procedure, he can always provide fresh sample.
What are the most common side effects of the hormone medications?
Symptoms similar to PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) are the most common. You may experience bloating, mood swings, cramping and headache. It is okay to take Tylenol as needed. Symptoms from these medications may continue for up to two weeks after your last dose. In fact, some women continue to experience symptoms for the first few weeks of pregnancy.
8. Completion/Question Form
For future reference, we recommend printing this page (a printer-friendly version is here). Then, 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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