Some of these drugs MAY be used during your frozen embryo cycle:
1. GnRH-a drugs (Buserelin, Prostap, Synarel)
These drugs are given as either a nasal spray or an injection and aim to switch off the fertility hormones produced by the body. The most common side effects therefore resemble symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes, sweating, loss of libido and vaginal dryness and mood swings.
Depending on where you start the drug in your cycle you may have a period, this is normal, and we expect this to happen.
Other side effects that you may experience are headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, anxiety, memory and concentration/sleep disturbances, nervousness, dizziness, drowsiness: breast tenderness, abdominal pain, increased thirst, and palpitations.
The injections may cause redness, swelling, bruising, pain, stiffness and itching at the site of injection. Soreness may be reduced by using alternative sites for injection.
Immediately after starting the down-regulation drugs, a burst of your own hormones may be released which could increase your fertility for a few days with the risk of multiple pregnancy. It is therefore advisable that you use a barrier method of contraception such as condoms throughout your treatment cycle.
2. Oestrogen (Progynova)
This contains estradiol valerate and is used to help thicken the lining of the womb (the endometrium) in preparation for your embryo transfer and will be continued to the 12th week of pregnancy if treatment is successful.
The initial dose is usually 6mg per day (3 x 2mg tablets) we recommend taking this medication as 1 tablet 3 times daily. If you have a positive pregnancy test the Progynova medication will then increase to 8mg per day (4 x 2mg tablets) two taken in the morning and two taken in the evening until 12 weeks of pregnancy.
The medication may cause nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, and bloating, pre-menstrual like syndrome, mood changes, headache, migraine, dizziness, leg cramps, and contact lenses irritation.
3. hCG – Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (Zivafert)
This is an injection which is used to trigger ovulation and mature the oocytes (eggs) and it is used in preparation for a natural FET cycle.
With this injection you may get some local reaction at the site of the injection i.e., redness/ itching/ swelling/ bruising.
Occasionally headaches and tiredness have been reported.
It is important to administer this drug at the time specified on your information sheet / discussed with you.
4. Progesterone (Cyclogest/Lubion)
This medication is used to maintain the thickness of the endometrium. They come as either pessaries (which can be taken vaginally or rectal) or as a subcutaneous injection.
Side effects of Progesterone are feeling bloated, breast tenderness, nausea, dizziness, headaches and can cause some local skin reaction, you may also get some white discharge.
If you have a positive pregnancy test we advise continuing progesterone until 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Potential Risk of Cancer
There are a number of inconclusive and unconfirmed reports linking fertility drugs with ovarian, uterine and breast cancers. It will take many years before we can know for sure. Our aim is to limit the amount of drugs you receive to achieve the desired response with minimal side effect and long-term health risks.
Contact Us
If there is anything you are concerned about, please do not hesitate to contact us as there will always be someone happy to help:
Telephone: 0191 445 2768 (Direct Line)
Email: [email protected]
or in the case of an EMERGENCY please call 0191 482 0000 and ask for the IVF Doctor on call after office hours.