View source for Fertility medication

{{Multiple issues|copyedit=February 2009|expand=February 2009|expert=February 2009|unreferenced=February 2009}}
{{seealso|assisted reproductive technology}}

'''Fertility medication''' is a drug that enhances [[fertility]]. For women, fertility medication is used to stimulate [[ovarian follicle|follicle]] development of the [[ovary]]. For males, on the other hand, there are very few options of fertility medication. 

Agents that enhance ovarian activity can be classified as either [[Gonadotropin releasing hormone]], [[Estrogen]]  [[Receptor antagonist|antagonists]] or [[Gonadotropins]].

==Female==
===Gonadotropin-releasing hormone===
{{Main|Gonadotropin-releasing hormone}}

Either [[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone]] (GnRH) itself or any of its [[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist|agonists]] (i.e. Lupron) may be used. GnRH releases gonadotropins from the hypothalamus in the body.

===Estrogen antagonists===
Fertility medication inhibiting the effects of [[estrogen]] includes [[Clomiphene citrate]] and [[Aromatase inhibitor]]s. 

====Clomiphene citrate====
{{Main|Clomiphene citrate}}
[[Clomiphene citrate]] is a [[selective estrogen receptor modulator|SERM]]. It is an [[ovarian stimulator]] by inhibiting the negative feedback of estrogen.

====Aromatase inhibitors====
{{Main|Aromatase inhibitor}}
Although primarily a breast cancer treatment, [[aromatase inhibitor]]s can also work as fertility medication, probably by a mechanism similar to clomiphene citrate.

===Gonadotropins===
{{Main|Gonadotropins}}
[[Gonadotropins]] are the hormones in the body that normally stimulate the [[gonads]] (testes and ovaries). For medication, they can be extracted from urine or by genetic modification.

====Menotropins====
{{Main|Menotropins}}
[[Menotropins]] are urinary gonadotropins, i.e. they are extracted from the urine.

====Recombinant gonadotropins====
Recombinant gonadotropins are gonadotropins created by inserting the DNA coding it into bacteriae. The bacterial DNA is then called [[Recombinant DNA]]. Examples of recombinant FSH are Follistim and Gonal F, while Luveris is a recombinant LH.

===Human chorionic gonadotropin===
{{Main|Human chorionic gonadotropin#Use as medication}}
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is normally produced during pregnancy. However, it can also replace LH as an [[ovulation inducer]].

===Other===
hMG is a medication containing [[follicle-stimulating hormone]] (FSH).

==Male==
There is no effective medication to treat [[oligospermia]], so other [[Assisted reproductive technology|assisted reproductive technologies]] need to be used.

There is ongoing research, with e.g. an Egyptian study indicating efficacy of a combination of [[clomiphene citrate]] and [[vitamin E]] in improving [[sperm count]] and [[sperm motility]] in [[male infertility]]. <ref>Ghanem H et al. Combination clomiphene citrate and antioxidant therapy for idiopathic male infertility: A randomized controlled trial. Fertil Steril 2009 Mar 5; [e-pub ahead of print]. Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 31, 2009</ref>

==Adverse effects==
Estrogen antagonists and gonadotropins may stimulate multiple follicles and other ovarian hormones leading to [[multiple birth]] and possible [[ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome]].

==See also==
Manufacturers:
* [[Ferring Pharmaceuticals]]
* [[Organon International]]
* [[EMD Serono]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Major Drug Groups}}
{{Pregnancy}}

[[Category:Fertility medicine|*]]
[[Category:Drugs]]
[[Category:Hormonal agents]]

[[fr:Liste de médicaments liés à la fertilité]]
[[Category:2Fix]]