Frequently Asked Questions About Infertility

Starting The Fertility Journey:

Questions About Medications:

 

 

 

 

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is a disease or condition of the reproductive system that impairs one of the body’s most basic functions: the conception of children.

Conception is a complicated process that depends on many factors, including:

  • The production of healthy sperm by a man and healthy eggs by a woman
  • Unblocked fallopian tubes that allow the sperm to reach the egg
  • The sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg when they meet
  • The ability of the fertilized egg (embryo) to become implanted in the woman’s uterus
  • Sufficient embryo quality
  • Proper hormone levels in a woman is necessary to maintain the pregnancy

When just one of these factors is impaired, infertility can result.

 

 

Who Is More Prone To Infertility?

Infertility is a medical problem. Approximately 30% of infertility is due to a female factor and 30% is due to a male factor. In the balance of the cases, either infertility results from problems in both partners, or the cause of the infertility cannot be explained.

 

 

What Causes Infertility?

In rough terms, about one-third of infertility cases can be attributed to factors that affect the men, and about one-third can be attributed to factors that affect women. For the remaining one-third of infertile couples, infertility is caused by a combination of problems in both partners or the cause cannot be determined.

The most common male infertility factors include azoospermia (no sperm cells are produced) and oligospermia (few sperm cells are produced). Sometimes, sperm cells are malformed or they die before they can reach the egg. In rare cases, infertility in men is caused by a genetic disease such as cystic fibrosis or a chromosomal abnormality.

The most common problem that leads to female infertility is an ovulation disorder. Other causes of female infertility include blocked fallopian tubes, which can occur when a woman has had pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis (a sometimes painful condition causing adhesions and cysts). Congenital anomalies (birth defects) involving the structure of the uterus and uterine fibroids are also associated with infertility.

What Are The Factors That Affect Your Chances Of Getting Pregnant?

  1. Weight
  2. Age
  3. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
  4. Tubal Disease
  5. Endometriosis
  6. DES Exposure
  7. Smoking
  8. Alcohol

How Is Infertility Diagnosed?

Couples are generally advised to seek medical help if they are unable to achieve pregnancy after a year of unprotected, well-timed intercourse, or if the woman has suffered from multiple miscarriages and the woman is under 35 years of age. If the woman is over 35 years old, it is diagnosed after 6 months of unprotected, well-timed intercourse.

A doctor will conduct a physical examination of both partners to determine their general state of health and to evaluate physical disorders that may be causing infertility. Usually, both partners are asked about their sexual habits in order to determine whether intercourse is taking place properly for conception.

If no cause can be determined at this point, more specific tests may be recommended.

For women, these tests include an analysis of body temperature and ovulation, x-rays of the fallopian tubes and uterus, and laparoscopy.

For men, initial tests focus on semen analysis. 

 

What Are The Signs And Symptoms?

Often there are no signs or symptoms associated with an infertility problem. Listening to your body and getting regular checkups can help detect a problem. Early detection and treatment of an issue are often critical in achieving successful pregnancy outcomes later.

How Is Infertility Treated?

Medical technology now offers more answers and treatment options to men and women trying to conceive a child. From hormonal treatments, ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination, to more advanced technologies like In vitro fertilization, ICSI to surrogacy, egg/sperm donation, and even embryo donation.

What Is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Program?

If a woman does not become pregnant after treatment with medical and surgical techniques, she may choose to undergo more complex procedures, called ART, after consulting with her health care provider.

These include:

  • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
  • In Vitro Fertilization
  • Third Party Assisted ART
    • Sperm Donation
    • Egg Donation
    • Surrogates and Gestational Carriers

 

 

What is Artificial Insemination?

Artificial insemination is now more commonly referred to as IUI (intrauterine insemination).

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is the placement of a man’s sperm into a woman’s uterus using a long, narrow tube.

IUI is most effective for:

  • Women who have scarring or defects of the cervix
  • Men who have low sperm counts
  • Men who have sperm with low mobility
  • Men who cannot get erections
  • Men who have retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which sperm are ejaculated into the bladder instead of out of the penis

IUI can be used in combination with medications that stimulate ovulation. This combination can increase the chance of pregnancy in some cases.

The success of IUI depends on the cause of the couple’s infertility. If inseminations are performed monthly with fresh or frozen sperm, success rates can be as high as 20% per cycle, depending on whether fertility medications are used, the age of the female partner, and the infertility diagnosis, as well as on other factors that could affect the success of the cycle.

 

 

What Is In Vitro or IVF?

In infertile couples where women have blocked or absent fallopian tubes, or where men have low sperm counts, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a chance at parenthood to couples who until recently would have had no hope of having a biological child.

n IVF, eggs are surgically removed from the ovary and mixed with sperm outside the body in a Petri dish (“in-vitro” is Latin for “in glass”). After about 40 hours, the eggs are examined to see if they have become fertilized by the sperm and are dividing into cells. These fertilized eggs (embryos) are then placed in the women’s uterus, thus bypassing the fallopian tubes.

 

 

What Are The Steps In IVF?

The steps of IVF are:

  1. Stimulation of Egg Maturation – In this process, also known as ovarian stimulation or ovulation induction, a woman takes medication to stimulate the ovaries to make many mature eggs at one time. These medications are given by injection for 8 to 14 days. A health care provider closely monitors the development of the eggs using transvaginal ultrasound. Blood is drawn frequently to assess estrogen production by the ovaries. When the eggs are mature—as determined by the size of the ovarian follicles and the level of estrogen—an hCG injection initiates the ovulation process. A health care provider takes out (egg retrieval) the eggs 34 to 36 hours after the injection.
  2. Egg Retrieval – This is the process used to remove the eggs from the ovaries so they can be fertilized. The procedure is performed in a physician’s office as an outpatient procedure. A mild sedative and painkiller are often used during the procedure, and it normally takes about 30 minutes .The steps for egg retrieval are:
    1. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to visualize the ovaries and the follicles, which contain the eggs.
    2. A needle is inserted through the wall of the vagina to the ovaries..
    3. Suction is used to pull the eggs from the ovaries into the needle.
  3. Fertilization – A man provides a semen sample. If the sperm are healthy, they are placed in a dish with the egg and left overnight in an incubator. Fertilization usually occurs on its own. However, sometimes sperm are not able to fertilize the egg on their own. When this is the case, a single sperm is injected into an egg using a needle. This process is called intracytoplasmic (pronounced IN-truh-sahy-tuh-PLAZ-mick) sperm injection (ICSI). About 60% of IVF in the Unites States is performed with ICSI. The number of pregnancies from IVF using natural fertilization is about the same as the number resulting from ICSI.Couples should consider genetic testing if the sperm cannot fertilize the egg on their own. The testing can determine whether the sperm have chromosome problems that might cause development problems in the resulting embryos. Embryos that develop from IVF are placed into the uterus from 1 to 6 days after retrieval.
  4. Embryo Transfer – This procedure is performed in a physician’s office. The procedure is normally painless, but some women may experience cramping. A health care provider inserts a long, thin tube through the vagina and into the uterus and injects the embryo into the uterus. The embryo should implant into the lining of the uterus 6 to 10 days after retrieval.

 

How do I Know if I Need IVF?

The majority of couples who have trouble conceiving don’t require in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Fertility drugs, interuterine inseminations (where washed sperm is placed in a woman’s uterine cavity to bypass the cervix, which stops a lot of the swimmers), or a combination of the two will do the trick in many cases. “IVF is indicated as a first-line treatment only in women with severe tubal disease, men with an extremely low sperm count or no sperm present in the ejaculate, or couples who need their embryos screened for a genetic condition,” says Kenneth Burry, M.D., director of University Fertility Consultants at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. However, he notes that if other treatments don’t work in six cycles (three if you’re over age 35), you should talk to your doctor about whether it’s time to move on to IVF.

 

 

 

What Are The Third Party Assisted Reproductive Technology or ART?

When couples do not achieve pregnancy from infertility treatments or traditional ART, they may choose to use a third party assisted ART method to have a child. Assistance can consist of:

  • Sperm Donation – Couples can use donated sperm when a man does not produce sperm or produces very low numbers of sperm, or if he has a genetic disease. Donated sperm can be used with intrauterine insemination or with IVF.
  • Egg Donation – This can be used when a woman does not produce healthy eggs that can be fertilized. An egg donor undergoes ovary stimulation and egg retrieval steps of IVF. The donated egg can then be fertilized by sperm from the woman’s partner, and the resulting embryo is placed into the woman’s uterus. Egg donation may be particularly helpful for women who:
    • Have primary ovary insufficiency (POI)
    • Have had chemotherapy or radiation therapy
    • Have had surgical removal of the ovaries
    • Were born without ovaries
    • Are carriers of known genetic diseases
    • Are infertile because of poor egg quality
  • Surrogates and Gestational Carriers – If a woman is unable to carry a pregnancy to term, she and her partner may choose a surrogate or gestational carrier. A surrogate is a woman inseminated with sperm from the male partner of the couple. The resulting child will be biologically related to the surrogate and to the male partner. Surrogacy can be used when the female of the couple does not produce healthy eggs that can be fertilized. In contrast, a gestational carrier is implanted with an embryo that is not biologically related to her. This alternative can be used when a woman produces healthy eggs but is unable to carry a pregnancy to term. If needed, egg or sperm donation can be used in this situation.

 

 

Who are the Best Infertility Specialists Nationally?

Before locating a fertility specialist who can address your particular needs, you may need to do some groundwork. Here are a few ways to get started:

  • Ask your primary-care physician, OB/GYN, or urologist for a recommendation.
  • Check with your local medical society for names of specialists in your area.
  • Contact the directors of private fertility clinics as well as those at nearby medical schools or hospitals.
  • Ask a friend for a recommendation (but be sure to check out the doctor yourself).
  • Look in the phone book for doctors who limit their practice to fertility services.
  • Contact the American Society for Reproductive Medicine or RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association for referrals to specialists in your area.
  • American Society for Reproductive Medicine
  • RESOLVE
    • Contact the American Medical Association or the American Board of Medical Specialties to learn more about your potential doctor’s credentials.
  • American Medical Association

 

 

Who are The Best Infertility Specialists in New York?

Before locating a New York fertility specialist who can address your particular needs, you may need to do some groundwork. Here are a few ways to get started:

  • Ask your primary-care physician, OB/GYN, or urologist for a recommendation.
  • Check with the New York Medical Society for names of specialists in your area.
  • Contact the directors of private NY fertility clinics as well as those at nearby medical schools or hospitals.
  • Ask a friend for a recommendation (but be sure to check out the doctor yourself).
  • Look in the NY phone book for doctors who limit their practice to fertility services.
  • Contact the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE

 

What are the Best IVF Clinics In New York?

Visit: http://fertilitysuccessrates.com/report/New-York/women-under-35/data.html

Their website has the live birth rate ranking per transfer for Fresh Embryos in all of New York.

 

Are There Fertility Specialists For Men And Women?

Men with fertility problems are best served by either an urologist or an andrologist. Urologists are trained in the evaluation and treatment of disorders of the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, and male reproductive organs, and have at least two years of general surgical training. A urologist will usually perform a semen analysis, look for varicoceles (varicose veins in the scrotum), check hormone levels, and order lab tests to check on the quality of sperm. An andrologist is either a medical doctor or laboratory specialist who may have earned a PhD in biochemistry, endocrinology, or physiology. These doctors focus on the physiologic, hormonal conditions that affect male infertility.

If a woman has fertility issues that can’t be addressed by her primary physician, she can see a reproductive endocrinologist (RE), a doctor who specializes in the treatment of hormonal disorders that affect reproduction. REs have completed at least two years of training beyond their OB/GYN residency and have passed oral and written exams. Depending on the nature of her problem, a woman might also need to see a reproductive surgeon. These OB/GYNs are trained to treat anatomical problems, such as tubal obstruction, endometriosis, and uterine abnormalities, as well as other reproductive-organ disorders that require surgery.

 

 

Can My OB/GYN Treat Me?

In many cases, the difficulty experienced in becoming pregnant can be resolved by a gynecologist without a referral to a specialist. Often the problem comes down to timing intercourse with ovulation, which may be assessed using one of the over-the-counter urine LH test kits (ovulation predictor tests). Your OB/GYN can also conduct a basic infertility evaluation. If a problem is found during your evaluation and for more complex fertility issues, it is advised to see a specialist. 

 

 

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?

It is important to go into the visit with your doctor prepared.

During your first visit (which both partners should attend), you’ll want to get a sense of how the practice is run, what services the doctor provides, the hours of operation, and the fee structure or payment plan. Here are some general questions to ask:

  • Does the doctor or his nurse have a call-in time when we can bring up questions or concerns?
  • Will we be seeing only one doctor or several doctors in a group practice?
  • Are the lab and ultrasound offices open on weekends and holidays?
  • Can procedures such as inseminations be done on the weekends if needed?
  • Which hospital (or hospitals) is the doctor affiliated with, and what types of operating privileges do they have?
  • Does the doctor perform assisted reproductive technologies, such as IVF and GIFT? If so, are they done at the office or at a different location?
  • If the doctor does IVF, is the clinic a member of the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies?
  • What percentage of live births and multiple pregnancies have resulted from the doctor’s treatments?
  • What other services, such as support groups or counselors, does the doctor’s office provide?
  • What are the costs involved, and are there payment plans? Which insurance is accepted?

 

 

What Are Specialty Pharmacies?

A specialty pharmacy such as Kings Pharmacy is a pharmacy exclusively dedicated to providing medications that require special storage, handling, or specialized knowledge of the condition being treated. These medications are usually complex, and are not immediately available at regular retail pharmacies.

Because infertility treatment typically requires the use of medications that must be injected and/or refrigerated, and often necessitates close monitoring by a pharmacist or nurse, not all pharmacies are able to distribute these medications. Therefore, certain specialty pharmacies focus solely on patients with infertility.

Of the more than 57,000 pharmacies in the United States, only about 125 specialize in infertility.

At Kings Pharmacy, we not only provide fertility medications to patients, but also serve as a support team to guide you throughout the process. We have been New York’s leading fertility pharmacy for 14 years!

 

 

What are the Advantages of using a Specialty Pharmacy for Fertility?

With 14 years in the fertility business, we know the ins and outs of each medication, how to administer it, and what impacts it will have. We’re able to tell you how they each mix with other kinds of prescription medications that you may be on, and will be here every step of the way to walk you through your fertility journey.

Our staff is specially trained in dealing with infertility medications.

Because we order such high quantities, we are able to get the lowest prices possible on fertility medications. We pass those savings right along to you.

 

 

What Are The Different Kinds Of Infertility Medicines?

Infertility can be overwhelming. Not only are you faced with the shock of not being able to have a child, but suddenly you are thrust into learning an entirely new language.

Because of this, it’s important to choose doctors and pharmacists who can help you through the entire process and will work together to make sure your entire fertility process is seamless and effective.

There are a variety of medications used to treat infertility. It is important to understand the medications and what their purpose is and to speak with your physician about the medications that will be used in your specific treatment plan.

  • FSH and LH Medications  – Let’s begin with FSH medications on the market today. Just like the natural FSH produced by the brain described above, commercially produced FSH drugs also act on the ovaries to produce follicles and eggs. The following FSH drugs listed below are commonly prescribed today: Follistim, Gonal-f, and BravelleMenopur and Repronex also act on the ovaries to produce follicles and eggs but contain equal amounts of both FSH and LH. Physicians often prescribe these medications because they have LH activity, and it is theorized that LH is essential to the follicles ability to produce the hormone estrogen. It is not uncommon for physicians to use both FSH only drugs and FSH and LH drugs in combination in the same treatment protocol. 
  • HCG Medications  – The next class of medications contains HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) activity, and are prescribed to mimic the LH surge that occurs in the natural menstrual cycle. From the onset this may not make sense because HCG was described as a hormone being produced by the implanted embryo in the natural menstrual cycle. To mimic the natural LH surge, physicians can prescribe a bolus dose of HCG to final maturate the eggs because HCG has the same biological activity as LH. In case you are wondering why physicians do not just use an LH hormone to mimic the natural LH surge, there are two reasons. The first is that there is no LH alone hormone available on the market today indicated for producing an LH surge, and the second reason deals with LH not having the pharmacological properties to efficiently deliver an effective LH surge. HCG will cause your follicles to rupture, like an LH surge does in a natural menstrual cycle. However, your physician will schedule your egg retrieval well before follicle rupture will occur. The following HCG drugs listed below are commonly prescribed today: Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel, and HCG (Generic).
  • GnRH Agonist and Antagonist Medications – While the above HCG medications reflect naturally occurring hormones in the natural menstrual cycle, the next two medications we will discuss are hormones that impact the action of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone). Naturally occurring GnRH is produced by the hypothalamus in the brain and works with the pituitary gland to produce both FSH and LH. GnRH agonists are synthetic drugs that cause the release of FSH and LH initially but with continued use quickly suppress these hormones, thereby creating a clean slate on which to create a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycle for IVF. GnRH antagonists are used in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles for IVF. GnRH agonists and antagonists are prescribed by physicians during fertility treatment to essentially disable the pituitary gland from producing both LH and FSH. So if FSH and LH are so important to helping the ovary produce follicles and eggs, why would a physician want to disable the production of these two hormones during an IVF treatment protocol? Simply put, the answer is control. This allows the physician to have control over the patient’s response to medications that are prescribed. If a physician prescribes hormones like FSH and LH and then allows the body to also produce its own hormones, the cycle may become unpredictable and result in poor outcomes. For example, if the pituitary gland is not disabled during an IVF treatment protocol, it is possible the pituitary gland could produce a naturally occurring LH surge. If this happened during a treatment cycle, it is likely that all the follicles would rupture and all eggs would be released, leading to spoiled treatment cycle because the physician would have no egg to retrieve. The GnRH Agonist discussed above that is commercially available is Leuprolide Acetate Injection (Generic), the GnRH antagonists under the following drug names: Ganirelix Acetate Injection and Cetrotide
  • Progesterone Products  – The last group of medications that we will discuss are the progesterone products. As you know from the natural cycle overview above, progesterone production is generated by the corpus luteum, and is essential for helping maintain a pregnancy. The vast majority of physicians will prescribe progesterone shortly after the egg retrieval to prepare the uterine lining for embryo implantation. If it’s discovered that the IVF treatment cycle resulted in a successful pregnancy, progesterone is often times continued for the first 6-12 weeks post pregnancy. The progesterone products discussed above are commercially available under the following drug names: Crinone, Endometrin, Prometrium and Progesterone in Oil injection

What Infertility Medicines are Available at Kings Pharmacy?

Because we are a specialty pharmacy we are able to carry one of the largest varieties of fertility medications locally. Kings Pharmacy stores a variety of fertility medications in-house and available for same-day shipping. These fertility IVF medicines are typically offered at low cost. Medications include:

  • Bravelle (urofollitropin) BRAVELLE® (urofollitropin for injection, purified) is a prescription medicine that contains hormones. BRAVELLE contains follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone activity. These hormones stimulate healthy ovaries to make eggs. BRAVELLE is used for women who need medical help to get pregnant. Your doctor may prescribe more than one medicine as part of a pregnancy plan.
  • Cetrotide (cetrorelix) Cetrotide® blocks the effects of a natural hormone called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH controls the secretion of another hormone, called luteinizing hormone (LH), which induces ovulation during the menstrual cycle.

    During hormone treatment for ovarian stimulation, premature ovulation may lead to eggs that are not suitable for fertilization. Cetrotide® blocks such undesirable premature ovulation.
  • Crinone (progesterone) CRINONE 8% (progesterone gel) is indicated for progesterone supplementation or replacement as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment for infertile women with progesterone deficiency It is a once-daily gel specifically formulated to deliver progesterone where it is needed most, the uterus. Every dose of CRINONE contains the natural female hormone called progesterone that helps prepare the lining of your uterus so it is ready to receive and nourish an embryo. Once pregnancy occurs, CRINONE may be used for an additional 10 to 12 weeks for continued pregnancy support until the placenta is producing an adequate amount of progesterone.
  • Endometrin (progesterone) ENDOMETRIN is a vaginal insert containing 100 mg of micronized progesterone. Progesterone is a natural hormone that is often used to help your uterine lining receive and nourish a fertilized egg. While several forms of progesterone are available, only 2 are FDA-approved for luteal support. In a US IVF trial with over 1200 patients, ENDOMETRIN was clinically proven to help achieve high pregnancy and birth rates.Each ENDOMETRIN insert comes with its own single-use disposable applicator for sterile administration. Once you’ve administered the insert, simply discard the applicator. Typical dosing is 2 or 3 times a day as prescribed by your doctor.

In women:  Your healthcare provider may do ultrasound scans of your ovaries. Make sure you follow-up with your healthcare provider to have your ultrasound scans.

  To help healthy ovaries to develop (mature) and release eggs

  As part of treatment programs that use special techniques (skills) to help women get pregnant by causing their ovaries to produce more mature eggs

In men: Your healthcare provider may test your semen while you are taking Follistim AQ Cartridge. Make sure you follow-up with your healthcare provider to give a semen sample for testing.

 To help bring about the production and development of sperm

  • Ganirelix Acetate  – Ganirelix is a man-made form of a protein that reduces the amount of certain hormones in the body, including estrogen. Ganirelix is used along with other medications to regulate hormones during treatment for infertility in women. Ganirelix may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. Ganirelix is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home.
  • Gonal-f (follitropin alfa)  – An injection Pen that delivers a prescription medicine containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) used in infertile women to help healthy ovaries develop (mature) and release an egg cause your ovaries to make multiple (more than 1) eggs as part of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program. Gonal-f® Multi-Dose and Gonal-f® RFF are used in certain infertile women to help with ovulation (production and release of a mature egg) and pregnancy.Gonal-f® will not help women whose ovaries no longer work because of a condition called Primary Ovarian Failure. Gonal-f® may also be used in women who are in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program such as in vitro fertilization to help their ovaries make more eggs. Gonal-f® Multi-Dose can also be prescribed to increase sperm production in men with a rare condition that affects sperm production.
  • Leuprolide  – Leuprolide overstimulates the body’s own production of certain hormones, which causes that production to shut down temporarily. Leuprolide reduces the amount of testosterone in men or estrogen in women. Leuprolide is used in men to treat the symptoms of prostate cancer. Leuprolide treats only the symptoms of prostate cancer and does not treat the cancer itself. Leuprolide is used in women to treat symptoms of endometriosis (overgrowth of uterine lining outside of the uterus) or uterine fibroids. Leuprolide is also used to treat precocious (early-onset) puberty in both male and female children. Leuprolide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.How is Leuprolide injected? Leuprolide is injected under the skin or into a muscle. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
  • Menopur (menotropins)  – MENOPUR, a highly purified preparation of naturally derived gonadotropins, was approved by the FDA on the basis of ongoing pregnancy rates, a strong measure of clinical effectiveness for a fertility therapy. MENOPUR is administered subcutaneously (under the skin). MENOPUR is designed to be used as part of an ART program. Each vial contains equal amounts of two kinds of hormonal activity: FSH and LH that stimulate follicle development and egg maturation.
  • Novarel (uHCG) NOVAREL is one of the first hCGs approved for use in OI. NOVAREL is injected intramuscularly (into the muscle) according to the directions provided by your doctor. NOVAREL is used to stimulate egg release (ovulation) in women who are not ovulating and in whom ovarian failure is not the cause of infertility. Before using NOVAREL, patients will typically receive treatment with gonadotropins, such as MENOPUR® (menotropins for injection).
  • Pregnyl (uHCG) is used for:
    • Treating fertility problems in certain women who have not gone through menopause.
    • Treating certain testicular development problems and stimulating the development of secondary sexual characteristics in certain patients.
    • It is also used to treat boys 4 to 9 years old who have testicles that have not moved into the scrotum.

Pregnyl is a hormone. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) stimulates cells in the testicles to produce androgens and in the ovaries to produce progesterone. Androgens cause the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. hair growth, deepening voice) and may cause the testicles to drop. HCG acts like luteinizing hormone (LH) by stimulating ovulation (release of an egg) in women.

How is Pregnyl administered? Pregnyl is usually administered as an injection at your doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Pregnyl at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your healthcare provider.

  • Ovidrel (rHCG)  – Gonal-f® Multi-Dose and Gonal-f® RFF are two products that contain follitropin alfa, which is similar to the human hormone follicle-stimulating hormone, referred to as FSH. FSH belongs to a group of human reproductive hormones.

    Gonal-f® Multi-Dose and Gonal-f® RFF are used in certain infertile women to help with ovulation (production and release of a mature egg) and pregnancy. Gonal-f® will not help women whose ovaries no longer work because of a condition called Primary Ovarian Failure.

Gonal-f® may also be used in women who are in an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) program such as in vitro fertilization to help their ovaries make more eggs.

Gonal-f® Multi-Dose can also be prescribed to increase sperm production in men with a rare condition that affects sperm production.

Both products should be prescribed only by doctors specializing in infertility problems and their treatment.

 

How Can I Get Low Cost Infertility Medications?

Kings Pharmacy is acutely aware of the need for health cost containment. Kings Specialty Pharmacy provides non-insured patients, and those who choose to make direct payment, with the lowest possible prices for all their medications by enrolling them into money savings programs, such as Rx Initiative and EMD Serono’s Patient Assistant Program.

For insured patients, Kings Specialty Pharmacy also accepts nearly all forms of conventional insurance and coverage by managed care plans.

Kings’ long experience and extensive infertility patient base results in superior buying power. These advantages are passed along to you in the form of outstanding competitive prices.

*SOURCES

http://connect.asrm.org/

http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/fertility-medicines/

http://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/treatments/fertility-doctors/

http://www.parents.com/getting-pregnant/infertility/treatments/best-fertility-centers/

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infertility/conditioninfo/Pages/art.aspx

http://fertilitysuccessrates.com/report/New-York/women-under-35/data.html