Medications Used During Egg Donation
I. Lupron Leuprolide Acetate
( One injection per day for approx. 12 days)
Lupron acts like a natural hormone called gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH stimulates the pituitary to produce two natural hormones known as gonadotropins: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH is responsible for the development of mature follicles that contain healthy eggs.
Your follicles will produce estrogen which causes your uterine lining to thicken which is why your first menstrual period after the retrieval will be heavy (lining sloughs off).
Side Effects
Side Effects similar to PMS (rarely have significant side effects been reported and no long-term side effects have been reported)
· Moodiness
· Hot flashes
· Nausea
· Headache
Extensive studies on non-human primates, as well as limited human evaluations, strongly suggest that Lupron is harmless. The drug is rapidly (within hours) eliminated from the system upon discontinuing its administration.
II. Follicle Stimulating Hormones - FSH or Gonadotropins
(One injection per day for approx for approx. 12 days)
Gonal-f and Follistim are recombinant DNA preparations of pure human FSH made from special genetically engineered cells. Gonal-f and Follistim are identical drugs made by two different manufacturers and are collectively known as gonadotropins.
Gonadotropins are given to increase the production and maturation of ovarian follicles. In order to fully mature the eggs, hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) must be given following the administration of Gonadotropins when ultrasound and estrogen blood levels show that sufficient follicular maturation has occurred.
Side Effects
OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). This means essentially that the body has "over-responded" to the FSH and the ovarian follicles become excessively enlarged which may be accompanied by abdominal distention and/or abdominal pain.
This usually resolves without treatment within 3 to 7 days and certainly by the time you have your post retrieval menstrual period. Great care is taken by the physician to minimize the chances of this OHSS by prescribing the lowest dose of Gonadotropins possible.
Severe OHSS is reported in 1-2% of IVF cases. With severe OHSS there is significant ovarian enlargement accompanied by pooling of fluid in your abdomen, possible shortness of breath and possible decreased urination. Treatment may require hospitalization.
Other side effects include pregnancy, including multiple births. Therefore, donors are instructed to not be sexually active from one week prior to retrieval until the end of their post retrieval menstrual period.
Other Possible Side Effects:
· Headache
· Moodiness
· Fatigue
· Bloating
III. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin - HCG or Trigger shot
(One injection)
HCG is produced by the human placenta. The purpose of administering HCG is to mature the eggs and ready the ovaries for the egg retrieval.
Possible Side Effects (no long-term side effects have been reported)
· Headache
· Moodiness
· Fatigue
· Bloating
Side Effects
OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome). This means essentially that the body has "over-responded" to the FSH and the ovarian follicles become excessively enlarged which may be accompanied by abdominal distention and/or abdominal pain.
This usually resolves without treatment within 3 to 7 days and certainly by the time you have your post retrieval menstrual period. Great care is taken by the physician to minimize the chances of this OHSS by prescribing the lowest dose of Gonadotropins possible.
Severe OHSS is reported in 1-2% of IVF cases. With severe OHSS there is significant ovarian enlargement accompanied by pooling of fluid in your abdomen, possible shortness of breath and possible decreased urination. Treatment may require hospitalization.
Other side effects include pregnancy, including multiple births. Therefore, donors are instructed to not be sexually active from one week prior to retrieval until the end of their post retrieval menstrual period.
Other Possible Side Effects:
· Headache
· Moodiness
· Fatigue
· Bloating
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