Understanding Common Fertility Medications
Starting fertility treatment can feel like learning a whole new language. Gonal-F? Cetrotide? Trigger shots? Fertility meds may sound overwhelming, but each one has a clear role in the process. They may help grow eggs, prevent early ovulation, trigger ovulation, or support pregnancy. Our consultants will choose the right combination for you and your body. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common fertility medications, what they do, and why we use them.
Gonal-F
What it does:
Helps your ovaries grow multiple eggs instead of the usual one.
Why it’s used:
More eggs = better chances of getting pregnant during an IVF Cycle
How it works:
It’s a synthetic version of the hormone FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) that tells your ovaries to grow follicles (which contain eggs). You inject it once daily for several days.
Pergoveris®
What it does:
Combines the hormones FSH and LH in one pen to help your ovaries grow multiple mature eggs.
Why it’s used:
It’s often used when women need extra LH support, especially for women with low ovarian reserve or who don’t respond as well to standard stimulation medications.
How it works:
It's a daily injection, like Gonal-F, but with both key hormones (FSH + LH). The pen format makes it easy to use at home.
Rekovelle®
What it does:
Stimulates your ovaries to grow multiple eggs, similar to Gonal-F.
Why it’s used:
Dosing is based on your AMH levels and weight, which means it’s tailored to give you the most effective stimulation.
How it works:
It’s a type of FSH that mimics your body’s natural hormone. You inject it daily using a pen.
Cetrotide
What it does:
Prevents early ovulation.
Why it’s used:
Cetrotide is used to prevent early ovulation. In a fertility treatment cycle, ovulation is timed as per the Fertility specialist recommendation to ensure optimal results. How it works:
Cetrotide will keep the hormone LH at a constant low level when taken daily. LH hormone is normally responsible for ovulation. It should be commenced mid way through your treatment cycle and continue daily
Decapeptyl® (also known as Triptorelin)
What it does:
Controls your hormone levels to either prevent early ovulation or support embryo implantation, depending on when it's used.
Why it’s used:
It can be part of a long protocol to stop your natural cycle from interfering with treatment or used after embryo transfer to help your body maintain a pregnancy.
How it works:
It’s a type of GnRH agonist, a hormone that helps “reset” or quiet down your body’s natural hormone signals so your doctor can take full control of the timing.
You might hear about it in:
Downregulation protocols before stimulation
Trigger shots in some IVF cycles
Trigger Shot
What it does:
Tells your body to ovulate or mature the eggs so they’re ready to be retrieved.
Why it’s used:
Once your eggs are ready, the trigger shot is used to time the retrieval or insemination perfectly.
How it works:
Mimics the body’s natural LH surge, which is the final signal to mature the eggs.
Progesterone
What it does:
Supports the uterine lining and helps implantation.
Why it’s used:
After ovulation or embryo transfer, your body needs progesterone to maintain a pregnancy.
How it works:
You might get it as an injection(PIO = progesterone in oil) or vaginally. It keeps your uterine lining thick for the embryo to implant.
Crinone®
What it does:
Supports the uterine lining to help an embryo implant and grow.
Why it’s used:
After ovulation or embryo transfer, your body needs enough progesterone to maintain a pregnancy. Crinone delivers that hormone directly where it’s needed.
How it works:
Crinone is a vaginal gel that contains progesterone. It’s inserted once or twice a day, and slowly releases the hormone to keep the uterine lining thick and stable.
It’s important to take your medications exactly as your doctor or nurse advises.
Even if two people are using the same meds, their doses, schedules, and reasons can be totally different. Your plan is customised just for you based on your hormones, medical history, and fertility goals.
If you're ever unsure, have questions, or feel overwhelmed, please reach out to your fertility team. Your nurses and doctors are here to guide you every step of the way.
