Gonadotropin Treatment for Infertility

Gonadotropin fertility medicines contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), or both. These hormones play a central role in egg production.

In women. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are needed for egg production (Reference ovulation Opens New Window). Early in the Reference menstrual cycle Opens New Window, a woman with low hormone levels who is not ovulating can have daily human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or recombinant human FSH (rFSH) injections for an average of 12 days. If this helps develop mature follicles, the ovary is ready to ovulate. One dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is then used to stimulate ovulation.

In men with low testosterone and FSH. LH stimulates the production of Reference testosterone Opens New Window, and FSH promotes the formation of sperm. If a semen analysis, LH testing, and FSH testing suggest that abnormal hormone levels are preventing sperm production, these gonadotropins may be prescribed together to promote sperm formation. The man gets an hCG injection 3 times weekly until blood testosterone level is within the normal range (this may take 4 to 6 months). Treatment continues with injections of hCG 2 times a week and hMG or FSH 3 times a week until the sperm count rises to normal levels.

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