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.

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

How Much Does IVF Cost

A lot of factors will affect your decision to try in vitro fertilization (IVF). For most people, the biggest influence is cost. IVF is not cheap — a basic cycle in the US can cost from $12,000- $15,000. There are some aspects that can make it cheaper or even more expensive, such as tests, procedures, and IVF prescriptions costs.

Evaluation and Fertility Tests

For most women, the cost of pursuing IVF begins with examining herself and her partner for the causes of fertility issues. This is an important step to determine if general fertility treatments such as ovarian stimulation and intrauterine insemination (IUI) could be an effective, cheaper alternative. Here are the evaluation basics and the average cost in the US:

1. Visit with fertility specialist ($200-$400)
2. Pelvic ultrasound ($150-$500)
3. Semen analysis ($50-$300)
4. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG -test tubes dye test) ($800-$3000)

So the basic cost of fertility tests and evaluation could range from $1200 to $4200.

Fertility Treatments

The cost of the actual IVF fertility treatment will depend on the type of treatment needed and the cost of the fertility medications used. The national average for basic IVF is $11,500. Some patents will require a procedure called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in conjunction with IVF, an effective treatment for when the fertility problems have a male factor. This costs on average an additional $1500. The IVF prescriptions costs can vary widely, ranging from $1500-$5000.

For women pursuing IVF with donor eggs, there are legal, agency and donor fees that factor into the cost, making it more than twice as expensive as regular IVF at $28,000 on average. The IVF prescriptions costs range from $1500-$4000.

The cost of an IVF procedure will vary by location, and is often affected by how much competition there is in your area. It’s not advisable to seek out ultra low cost fertility clinics as quality of care could be a factor in your cycle’s success rate.

However there is some flexibility in how much you spend in the necessary IVF medications. Online pharmacies such as IVFPrescriptions.com leverage prescription medication price control and affiliate relationships to offer discount IVF drugs as the cheapest fertility pharmacy.

Insurance Coverage and Financing Options
Knowing how much of your IVF you must pay for out of pocket will likely be a deciding factor. Each insurance company has different policies, and national law in the US doesn’t require insurance companies to fund infertility treatments. There are fourteen state laws that do require they pay for treatment, and insurance companies will pay for almost all of the costs associated with fertility testing.

Talk to your clinic about any hidden or extra fees in their IVF price quote, and go over them thoroughly with your insurance company before proceeding with the treatment and agreeing to pay.

For women who know they need to pay out of pocket, there are some fertility clinics that offer financing options to make IVF possible. Some clinics also offer a refund system where patients pay a set fee and the clinic will give a partial refund if you don’t succeed at getting pregnant.

If you want to determine for sure if IVF is an option for you, learn about the clinics in your area, financing options and insurance coverage. A great way to cut costs without compromising quality is by finding cheap fertility drugs online.