Gonadotropin Treatment for Infertility
Why It Is Used
Gonadotropins are given by injection to help the body make the hormones needed for egg or sperm production.
In women. Gonadotropins may be used:
- To stimulate ovulation related to low natural gonadotropin or Reference estrogen Opens New Window levels. (This is most commonly seen in women with excessive exercise or eating disorders.)
- When clomiphene alone or clomiphene combined with another medicine has been ineffective for correcting irregular or no ovulation caused by Reference polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Opens New Window.
- For developing multiple egg follicles on the ovaries. Multiple eggs are harvested and used in Reference assisted reproductive techniques Opens New Window such as in vitro fertilization or gamete intrafallopian transfer.
- In combination with Reference intrauterine insemination Opens New Window for couples with unexplained infertility when clomiphene has not worked.
In men. Gonadotropin therapy can treat low sperm counts caused by low levels of natural gonadotropins.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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