Hormone therapy

In this category we discuss treatments in which medication alone is prescribed. This type of treatment is indicated for couples in which the only problem is disturbed ovulation, for example in irregular or absent periods. As the monthly ovulation is an important prerequisite for rapidly achieving pregnancy, an obvious first step for these women is to restore the pattern of ovulation. A number of medicines are available to the doctor, which we will go over shortly. In each of the different possibilities the doctor will try to increase the amount of FSH that reaches the ovaries. After all this is the hormone that stimulates the growth of the follicles.

Tablets
Clomid is the best known of this group. When Clomid is taken, the body gets the false impression that there is a serious shortage of oestradiol (“anti-oestrogen”). The body reacts to this by an indirect stimulation of the ovaries. However the fact is that this treatment does not definitively restore the rhythm of ovulation in most cases, therefore the treatment must be re-started every month as long as it is required.

Injections
A more direct approach is to inject substances that stimulate the ovaries directly. The injections are given in a muscle or subcutaneously depending on the substances used.

The pump
This method uses a small pump by which small amounts of hormone are injected into the skin at regular points in time. This is a way by which a normal cycle can be restored in patients with a complete absence of cycle by direct stimulation of the pituitary.

The nasal spray
This medication is primarily used during treatment by in vitro fertilisation and prevents a premature ovulatory response.