Find Out About Crinone for Fertility Treatments

Crinone is a brand name for the hormone progesterone, which is completely necessary in order for the body to support an embryo during its critical developmental phases, which is why it is used very often in IVF treatments and protocols. For those struggling with fertility, this drug can help to balance out the body’s deficits and allow a natural pregnancy to occur, or allow IVF medications to encourage conception to take place.

How Crinone Works in the Body

When an egg is fertilized and becomes an embryo its next stop is the fallopian tube through to the uterus where the embryo implants into the lining of the uterus. This is where Crinone is most needed as it creates the lining of the uterus to thicken and become nutrient rich. This supports the embryo’s growth, development, and helps to maintain the pregnancy. It is one of the more popular fertility medications offered for women going through IVF treatments.

From this the placenta will develop and in normally functioning women, it is what produces the progesterone needed to maintain the pregnancy. In some women, however, the placenta fails to do this and the environment is not sufficient to maintain the pregnancy. With Crinone, the support is brought into balance and there are more pregnancies that are possible, resulting in live births.

Crinone and Its Use with IVF Treatments

Many of the IVF meds and IVF drugs that are prescribed for use in assisted reproductive treatment can often lower, or interfere, with the progesterone production. This is also another reason patients may be prescribed Crinone as a supplement. The amount that you are prescribed will be determined by your doctor and your existing hormonal levels.

Crinone Side Effects and What to Expect

Crinone comes as a 8% gel that can be used throughout pregnancy if the doctor so suggests. Some of the side effects that women experience, but which often go away as the body acclimates itself, are constipation, diarrhea, breast tenderness, vaginal discomfort, lowered libido, bloating, cramps, drowsiness, joint pain, cramping, and headaches. Sometimes, due to the application being a gel there may be some discharge. This should not be accompanied with odor or burning/itching. Other more serious side effects this fertility medication could present, which would require you to contact your health care provider include swelling in the feet or hands, extreme mood swings, lips, or throat, rashes, swollen tongue, chest pain, slurred speech, weakness on one side of the body, or a change in vision.

Crinone 8% Gel Experiences

Whattoexpect.com/forums

Patient #1:  A woman asks others about the side effects from Crinone and others responded that they had few to no side effects from this IVF drug, though the gummy feeling wasn’t exactly pleasant.

Babycenter.com

Patient #2: A woman wants to know if taking Crinone 8% Gel is safe after you are already pregnant. She is in her first trimester. Many responded stating that they had taken it during their first trimester, but that it depended on the dosage of the fertility medication as well. 

Netmums.com

Patient #3: A patient who is on her 5th IVF cycle suggests to another poster that when placing the Crinone that her doctor told her to walk around for a little. She assures the poster that it won’t fall out, though some discharge when going to the bathroom is normal.

Learn more about buying Crinone, and other discounted IVF meds at IVFPrescriptions.com.

You’ve Been Prescribed Lupron with IVF Treatment. Now What?

IVF protocols often utilize Lupron (leuprolide acetate) for several different reasons. Understanding what those reason are, how the IVF medication works with other IVF drugs, and what do expect while taking this fertility medication can go a long way toward understanding the resulting effects.

Lupron in Conjunction with FSH IVF Stimulation Protocols.

Most RE doctors utilize Lupron in two basic ways. First, it can be used for long protocols (luteal Lupron), or for flare protocols (short term). The long protocol is the most often prescribed treatment, and the success rates seem to be higher with this protocol in use. In this process, the fertility medication Lupron is given seven days before the next period should start (referred to as the mid-luteal). Then the FSH drug is given on the second day of menstruation. The two IVF medications are given together. The next phase of IVF treatment using Lupron is to wean off the dosage as the FSH product is started.

The End Game with Lupron

If the fertility procedure goes as planned, then at least 3-4 follicles of 14-20mm will be produced. Ideally the more follicles, the more the success rates increase. There is a danger during this phase of IVF fertility treatment where the ovaries could become overstimulated. To prevent this from happening, during this treatment, a woman will be monitored through blood tests and ultrasounds. This stimulation process can take anywhere from a week to 10 days. The next step in the IVF process is a HCG shot that induces the eggs to mature fully, and is given when the estrogen levels and follicle measurements are at their peak. The eggs are retrieved within 34 hours after the HCG shot.

Lupron Experiences

Fertilethoughts.com

Patient #1:  A woman is concerned that she has been given Lupron for the wrong thing. She has been given Lupron for endometriosis, and she is trying to get pregnant. The others reassure her that it is to improve her uterine lining, as well as remove blockages that might be occurring due to the endometriosis.

Ehealthforum.com

Patient #2: A patient is taking Lupron injections and wonders if anyone has had side effects. Most report that the worst thing experienced was night sweats, and passing headaches.

Fertilitybydesign.com

Patient #3: A woman posts that she is just starting the IVF process and that Lupron is one of the fertility medications she’d been prescribed. Others chime in to give her support and to share their success stories, suggesting that Lupron was one of the ‘magic’ answers to their prayers.

What Fertility Medications are Used with Embryo Transfers?

If you are going through IVF treatment, then part of the process involves fertility medications that will support production of the eggs, as well as providing a safe and nurturing environment for the embryo, as well as the embryo transfer. It is perfectly normal to be a little apprehensive if this is your first embryonic transfer, but familiarizing yourself with the process can help. Embryo transfer is the final state of IVF procedures, but there is a whole host of medications and testing that happen in order to reach this culminating step.

Ground Zero: IVF Drugs and Beginning Treatment

Depending on what your diagnosis has been, your doctor may have prescribed a wide range of products designed to either suppress your immune system, build up the lining in your uterus, or prevent an immune reaction. Some of the more common IVF drugs include Clomid, Medrol, Endometrin, and Follistim, to name a few.

IVF and Embryonic Transfer: The Big Day

Embryo transfer happens after the eggs have been fertilized in the laboratory and allowed to mature in a culture medium until they are ready for implantation. Doctors will either do the transfer at the three day or five day mark. Usually two to four embryos will be transferred, depending on the number of healthy embryos there are, how old you are, and your risk factors for multiple births. Transfers usually take place in the comfort of your regular fertility clinic. You will be asked to drink a lot of fluids prior to the procedure because it helps the doctor see more clearly when they do the ultrasound.

After the IVF Procedure

After the IVF procedure you’ll be asked to lie still for a couple of hours. There might be some slight cramping, but this will go away. Generally, the doctor will advise you to take it easy the rest of the day. Sometimes the doctor will recommend a round of hCG or progesterone. In about 12-14 days you’ll return to the doctors for a pregnancy check, hopefully with wonderful results.

IVF Medications Experiences

Whattoexpect.com

Patient #1: A woman is about to go through her first embryonic transfer and asks others what she should expect, and if she will be required to take a lot of drugs post implantation. Others respond that it depends on her doctor’s diagnosis but that regardless of that, the IVF drugs that would be prescribed are safe to take while pregnant.

Fertilethoughts.com

Patient #2: A woman in California asks the group about discounted fertility medications. Another poster shares that she called her insurance to see if any of it was covered and was shocked to learn that some of her fertility meds would have been covered had she just asked earlier. She urges the California woman to definitely call her insurance because if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Babyandbump.com

Patient #3: A woman asks others about IVF meds and if ordering them online was safe or not. Many, many responded telling her that not only are they safe, if you shop at the right place, but also that they are much, much cheaper than getting them from the regular pharmacy. Many urged her to use only those online pharmacies that are accredited by the Ministry of Health, and not to purchase generics.

Learn more about buying discounted IVF meds at IVFPrescriptions.com

IVF Success and Medrol: Fertility Procedures and Options

Medrol is one of the more popular medications prescribed for use in conjunction with fertility medications as well as used in IVF treatments. It has been around for a very long time, but many women are still concerned about taking it because of its steroid classification. In general, it is one of the gentlest types of steroids that can be administered, and many women, as well as clinics, credit Medrol with their IVF success rates.

What is Medrol Prescribed for in IVF?

Medrol (methylprednisolone) generally targets the uterine lining, preventing inflammation of the lining which can often lead to rejection by the embryo. Women who have had several miscarriages, who suffer from endometriosis, or who are having a terrible time with the side effects from other fertility drugs, benefit greatly from Medrol.

Medrol, Used for Suppression Therapy in IVF Treatment

Very often Medrol will be given initially to those just starting an IVF cycle to suppress the immune system following retrieval and transfer. Sometimes it is continued right up until the time of implantation. This allows the body time to adjust to the ‘new normal’ and gives the embryo time to implant and stay implanted.

Medrol Experiences:

The bump.com

Patient #1: A woman has been prescribed Medrol, but she hadn’t received a lot of information from her RE about why it was being prescribed. Others respond quickly telling her that it helps make the effects of the fertility meds easier to handle, and that it also keeps the body from rejecting the implanted embryos.

Fertilethoughts.com

Patient #2:  A patient has never taken steroids before and she is worried that Medrol will have bad side effects, not only on her, but on the baby. Others respond and tell her that Medrol was a godsend because some of the IVF drugs that they had been prescribed made them so nauseous and achy.

Babycenter.com

Patient #3: A woman posts that her doctor had prescribed Medrol and she wonders if others have taken it and what she should expect. Several respond and tell her that the only thing she needs to do is make sure that she takes it as the doctor directs, especially when combined with other fertility meds.

Learn more about buying Medrol, and other discounted IVF meds at IVFPrescriptions.com

Estrace for Fertility Treatments: What You Should Know

Estrace comes as either a cream or an oral pill, depending on what your doctor has prescribed. Both are a form of estrogen and it is used to treat women whose estrogen levels are preventing them from becoming pregnant. Estrace is often used with IVF treatments, and may be prescribed for use in combination with other fertility medications. 

Estrace and IVF, By the Numbers

It is quite common these days for doctors to prescribe Estrace to maintain or increase the endometrial lining in the uterus, or in combination with progesterone in order to produce and sustain viable eggs and promote conception, especially when IVF is being used. There have been at least 10 or more fertility studies which indicated that estrogen supplementation in combination with progesterone in the luteal phase (when going through IVF) resulted in a higher clinical pregnancy rate. The usual dosage is 2mg taken 2-3 times a day orally, or you may be prescribed a cream. As with any fertility medication, of course, follow your doctor’s instructions.

Estrace Experiences

Fertilethoughts.com

Patient # 1:  A woman has just started on Estrace and is having some slight nausea, she asks if it is normal for this reaction to fertility medications, and if it goes away. Many responses reassure her that this is completely normal with this as it is estrogen, after all. The doctor should continue to monitor, however, and make adjustments as needed.

Fertilitycentral.org

Patient # 2:  A patient was given the Estrace pills but was told to take them vaginally to encourage fertility. She wonders if anyone else has had side effects other than the blue discharge. Several respond saying that they had little to no side effects from taking it vaginally, and that it did work.

Babycenter.com

Patient # 3: A woman writes that she was prescribed Estrace and immediately went home and Googled it. She is alarmed at the potential harm if pregnant and taking this IVF medication. Many responders told her that they were all prescribed Estrace during their fresh cycles of IVF. Another woman writes that she stayed on it for the first 10 weeks of her pregnancy and that her child was born quite healthy. She tells the poster that Estrace is one of the ‘good guys’ in the fertility medication world.

Learn more about buying Estrace, and other discounted IVF meds at IVFPrescriptions.com