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Hormones and medications
Fertility treatment makes a lot more sense if you have a basic understanding of the how hormones control the o varies More information hormones that control female reproduction www.medsafe.govt.nz and of the medications that are used in – use the ‘search’ box to find treatment. Most of the medications are versions the data sheet for GnRH of the body’s own hormones. Pituitary any medication. Let’s start with the hormones. In the natural gland www.emdserono.com/en menstrual cycle, the brain controls the pituitary – choose ‘therapies’, gland, and the pituitary gland controls the then ‘fertility’. ovaries. The hormones made by the follicles in www.fertilitylifelines.com the ovaries feed back to the brain and pituitary FSH – good index for Serono to keep the whole system in control. You can products. think of it as a bit like driving a car. To get www.puregon.com started you push down hard on the accelerator. Once you reach the desired speed you ease off www.msd-newzealand.com on the accelerator. – choose ‘products’. The body does the same. The brain releases a hormone called Gonadotrophin Releasing E2 Ovary Hormone (GnRH). GnRH makes the pituitary release a hormone called Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). FSH makes the follicles grow and the follicles release Estradiol (often abbreviated to E2). When the brain and pituitary sense increasing levels of E2 they ease methods are like the engineers who soup-up the off the release of FSH.e car engine. The clinic staff monitor the ovary Using this analogy, fertility treatments like during the course of treatment using blood tests clomiphene, IUI with ovarian stimulation and and ultrasound scans; their job is similar to driving IVF are rather like driving the car faster. How it the car at high speed. The table on page 16 is done is quite sophisticated. The doctors and summarises the hormones involved, what they do, scientists who design the ovarian stimulation the main medications we use, and how they work. >
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< There are a variety of types of See our Fertility Facts ovarian stimulation, all of which use Glossary of Terms and Drugs for medications that are the same as, or mimic, information on side-effects. the body’s own reproductive hormones. See www.fertilityfacts.co.nz our Fertility Facts on Ovarian Stimulation. www.fertilityfacts.co.nz
Hormones and medications
The hormones What the hormones do The Medication What the medications do medications trade names Gonadotrophin Release FSH and LH from the GnRH agonists Buserelin, Modified version of the body’s own Releasing pituitary gland. Lupron, hormone. They initially stimulate the Hormone Leuprolide, release of FSH just like GnRH, but then the (GnRH) Lucrin, body adapts and stops secreting its own Zoladex, GnRH. This is called ‘down regulation’. By Synarel doing this, they prevent the LH surge. GnRH Cetrotide, Modified version of the body’s own antagonists Orgalutran hormone. They block the body’s GnRH and therefore prevent the LH surge. Follicle Stimulates follicles in the ovary to Follicle Gonal F, Copy or modified version of the body’s own stimulating grow. stimulating Puregon, hormone, so they do the same thing. hormone hormone Elonva, (FSH) (FSH) Menopur Luteinising A surge of LH in the middle of the Luteinising Luveris Copy of the body’s own hormone. Not used hormone (LH) cycle triggers the final maturation hormone (LH) much because it is so expensive. of the egg and ovulation of the follicle(s) containing mature eggs. After ovulation it helps maintain progesterone secretion. human hCG is the main hormone made by human Ovidrel, Ovidrel is a copy of the body’s own Chorionic the early embryo once it implants. It Chorionic Pregnyl hormone; Pregnyl is purified from the Gonadotrophin has a similar biological effect to LH. Gonadotrophin urine of pregnant women. (hCG) hCG is the hormone detected by (hCG) Mainly used instead of LH to trigger pregnancy tests. ovulation because it is more convenient and cost effective. Estradiol (E2) E2 is the main estrogen hormone Estradiol (E2) Progynova, Copy of the body’s own hormone. made by developing follicles. It has Estrofem, Used in manufactured cycles. many actions, including growing Climara the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium). Progesterone P4 is the main hormone secreted by Progesterone Utrogestan, Copy of the body’s own hormone. (P4) the follicle once it has released its (P4) Crinone, Used in manufactured cycle, and to egg. Its major action is to maintain Gestone support the uterus in IVF cycles. the lining of the uterus so an embryo can implant and cause a pregnancy. Clomiphene Serophene Blocks feedback by estradiol so the citrate (CC) pituitary gland releases more FSH. The Levlen ED, Low dose estrogen in the pill stops contraceptive Microgynon, the release of FSH and LH and helps make pill Ava IVF more reliable.
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With you
The hormones What the hormones do The Medication What the medications do medications trade names on your fertility Gonadotrophin Release FSH and LH from the GnRH agonists Buserelin, Modified version of the body’s own Releasing pituitary gland. Lupron, hormone. They initially stimulate the Hormone Leuprolide, release of FSH just like GnRH, but then the journey (GnRH) Lucrin, body adapts and stops secreting its own Zoladex, GnRH. This is called ‘down regulation’. By Synarel doing this, they prevent the LH surge. GnRH Cetrotide, Modified version of the body’s own Fertility New Zealand is committed to supporting, advocating antagonists Orgalutran hormone. They block the body’s GnRH and therefore prevent the LH surge. for and educating all people who face infertility challenges at all Follicle Stimulates follicles in the ovary to Follicle Gonal F, Copy or modified version of the body’s own stages of their journey and beyond. stimulating grow. stimulating Puregon, hormone, so they do the same thing. hormone hormone Elonva, Fertility NZ was founded in 1990 and is a registered charity. (FSH) (FSH) Menopur It operates on a national level and much of its work is undertaken Luteinising A surge of LH in the middle of the Luteinising Luveris Copy of the body’s own hormone. Not used by dedicated volunteers. Membership is free-of-charge. hormone (LH) cycle triggers the final maturation hormone (LH) much because it is so expensive. of the egg and ovulation of the follicle(s) containing mature eggs. Information Support Advocacy After ovulation it helps maintain progesterone secretion. • www.fertilitynz.org.nz • Network of regular support • Representing the human hCG is the main hormone made by human Ovidrel, Ovidrel is a copy of the body’s own is the hub of our information gatherings, workshops and voice of people Chorionic the early embryo once it implants. It Chorionic Pregnyl hormone; Pregnyl is purified from the • Informative fact sheet contact groups throughout affected by infertility Gonadotrophin has a similar biological effect to LH. Gonadotrophin urine of pregnant women. brochures on over 20 subjects the country on medical, ethical (hCG) hCG is the hormone detected by (hCG) Mainly used instead of LH to trigger (also available in clinics) • 0800 line and support email and policy issues pregnancy tests. ovulation because it is more convenient and cost effective. • Information video series address for enquiries Estradiol (E2) E2 is the main estrogen hormone Estradiol (E2) Progynova, Copy of the body’s own hormone. • Dandelion newsletter with • Forums on our website made by developing follicles. It has Estrofem, Used in manufactured cycles. members’ stories and news where members can many actions, including growing Climara support one another the lining of the uterus (called the • Conferences and endometrium). information events Progesterone P4 is the main hormone secreted by Progesterone Utrogestan, Copy of the body’s own hormone. • Webinars (P4) the follicle once it has released its (P4) Crinone, Used in manufactured cycle, and to egg. Its major action is to maintain Gestone support the uterus in IVF cycles. the lining of the uterus so an embryo can implant and cause a pregnancy. Clomiphene Serophene Blocks feedback by estradiol so the citrate (CC) pituitary gland releases more FSH. The Levlen ED, Low dose estrogen in the pill stops contraceptive Microgynon, the release of FSH and LH and helps make www.fertilitynz.org.nz pill Ava IVF more reliable. 0800 333 306 | [email protected]
16 pathway to a child