The procedures and steps that come with IVF to help individuals or couples get pregnant require careful planning.
Knowing the medications involved for egg retrieval and the medication schedule can help you prepare for the journey ahead.
Whether it’s connecting you with a fertility clinic where the egg retrieval can take place or letting you know more about your infertility options, we’re here for you whenever you need us. Contact us online to get the support you deserve.
This article takes a deeper look into the medications used for egg retrieval, why they are used and the common side effects you can expect.
Egg Retrieval Medication Schedule
IVF requires medication to help regulate a menstrual cycle, stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs and support embryo implantation.
Timing is pivotal because each phase of IVF needs to align with your menstrual cycle so that viable eggs can be released and collected in order for fertilization and the embryo transfer to occur at the right time.
Here’s an IVF medication schedule example broken down into steps:
- Step 1: Suppression of Ovaries: Medications like birth control pills or Lupron can stop the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) anywhere from 1-4 weeks before ovarian stimulation. LH and FSH play a key role in follicle growth.
- Step 2: Stimulation of Ovaries: After suppressing ovulation to align with your timeline, LH, FSH or a combination of both are used to help the ovaries produce multiple eggs. These medications are injected every day for 8-12 days just beneath the skin in the thigh or abdomen.
- Step 3: Prevention of Premature Ovulation: Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists both help stop your body from ovulating early and releasing eggs that are still developing. The amount of time differs but it usually begins after the end of ovarian stimulation and stops when ovarian stimulation does.
- Step 4: Triggering Ovulation and Retrieving the Follicles: About 8-12 days after ovarian stimulation, it’s time to trigger ovulation. The trigger shot could be human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), Lupron or both and needs to be done 36 hours prior to egg retrieval taking place.
- Step 5: Preparation of the Uterine Lining: If you are ready for the embryo transfer, IVF medications such as estradiol or progesterone can be used to prepare your uterine lining for implantation.
Here’s a deeper look at common medications used during the egg retrieval medication schedule and their purpose:
Gonadotropins
Gonadotropins stimulate the ovaries. This results in the ovaries producing multiple follicles which hold the eggs during an IVF cycle.
Some of the most common gonadotropins are:
- Gonal-f: This is a synthetic version of FSH, it helps the ovaries develop follicles and eggs reach maturation.
- Follistim: Used to stimulate egg development within the ovary, follistim helps women who have had problems with ovulation.
- Menopur: Menopur consists of LH and FSH that help your ovaries make eggs. It’s used in conjunction with hCG to help grow and eventually release mature eggs.
Lupron and GnRH Antagonists
GnRH is produced naturally in the pituitary gland and also stimulates the ovaries.
GnRH agonists stimulate the pituitary gland to release any stored gonadotropins before stopping the production of any new gonadotropins. Lupron is one of the most common and well known GnRH agonists, one of the earliest available GnRH agonists in the U.S. (1985).
Stopping new gonadotropins from being produced helps control the development of eggs during IVF while also stopping premature ovulation from occurring.
GnRH antagonists help stop premature ovulation. Stopping premature ovulation is important for IVF because it can help ensure the most eggs can be retrieved.
Examples of common GnRH antagonists include:
- Antagon
- Orgalutran
- Cetrotide
How Many Days of Meds Before Egg Retrieval?
There are 8-13 days of medications before egg retrieval that help stimulate the ovaries to help you generate as many mature, quality eggs as possible before egg retrieval.
Egg quality is pivotal to the success of IVF as higher quality eggs have a better chance of being fertilized and developed into embryos.
How to Keep Track of Your Egg Retrieval Medications Schedule
When learning about all of the different medication that may be a part of your journey, you may be wondering how to keep track of the schedules.
There are specific amounts of time as to when the medicines need to be taken as well as their dosage. There are a few ways that can help you keep track of it all, such as:
- A caldendar
- Phone reminders
- Alarms
There are even apps you can download that will help keep you on track, allowing you to input and edit all the pertinent information like the medications, dosage and frequency while tracking intake.
Apps like Bonzun IVF, Embie and My Fertility Diary are just a few examples of the apps that exist specifically to help track parts of your IVF journey.
Do They Give You Pain Meds for Egg Retrieval?
Yes, pain medication is administered for egg retrieval. The procedure itself is short and is generally performed with medications such as Fentanyl and Propofol to ensure you are comfortable and sedated. Fentanyl decreases discomfort while Propofol induces relaxation and sedation.
Side Effects of Medications for Egg Retrieval
Any time you take medications; there are risks and side effects that come with them. Here are some of the most Common side effects of the medications used for egg retrieval and how you can deal with them:
Eating smaller meals can help reduce bloating as well as over the counter medications like Alka-Seltzer, Gas-X and Mylanta. Fiber-rich foods can help alleviate constipation as well as supplements like Metamucil or Colace, a stool softener. Heating pads can help reduce abdominal cramping during IVF as well as acetaminophens such as Tylenol. Depending on the severity of the nausea, there are over-the-counter options such as Dramamine, Pepto-Bismol, nausea bracelets or peppermints. These can be more difficult to treat as they are a result of hormonal changes from the fertility drugs you are taking. Medications for mood disorders are safe to take during IVF, so if they are interfering with your day-to-day, talk to your doctor.
If any of these effects persist, or worsen, or you think you could be experiencing some of the more severe side effects like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or an ectopic pregnancy, contact your doctor for guidance as to what comes next.
To learn more about egg retrieval and IVF with a surrogate, contact us today. We can walk you through all you need to know about surrogacy to determine if it’s a viable family building tool for you.