QuestionHello, I'm 36 years and having difficulties trying to conceive my 2nd child. I'm writing from Argentina. My husband has thyroid problems and very poor motility, so we'll undergo our first insemination procedure this month. The question is that my doctor ordered having HMG 150 injections on days 3, 5 and 7. I have been monitored for the last 3 months and they confirmed my ovulation is normal, I have normal follicle rupture with no medication at all. Is this HMG 150 too strong for me since I don't have any problems? Or is it just fine? Why do I need to take medications? Will this improve the egg quality since I'm already 36?
I hear some people start with serofene or milder medications. Please help to determine if this is fine for me. Thanks!
AnswerHello Ceci from Argentina,
Usually with IUI, we want out patients to ovulate 2-3 eggs at a time in order to increase the chances of pregnancy. This is called super-ovulation in a woman that is already ovulatory. That is probably why your doc is giving you the extra medication. With natural cycles, you will only ovulate one egg at a time, and it is not guaranteed that the egg will get to the tube. So, if you increase the number of eggs available, you have a better chance that one of the eggs will find the tube so that it can be fertilized. This medication does nothing for egg quality, and egg quality is an issue for you based on your age. Again, the treatment is to try to get you to ovulate more than one egg at a time to increase the chances of getting a good egg.
I personally don't use HMG first because it is a stronger med and a lot more expensive. I prefer to use Clomiphene (Serophene) or Femara because they are pills, rather than injections, and easier to use, and much much less expensive. These meds will accomplish the same goal.
Good luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
