Gonadotropin Cycles
Gonadotropins are fertility medications that contain follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which is produce naturally by the pituitary gland, alone or combined with luteinizing hormone (LH), also produced by the pituitary gland. A related medication is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is structurally similar to LH and simulates the natural LH (ovulation) surge.
Gonadotropins are used to induce follicle development and ovulation in women who do not ovulate. They are also used to induce development and ovulation of multiple follicles in women undergoing advanced reproductive therapies such as in vitro fertilization, or superovulation and intrauterine insemination. There are a variety of gonadotropins commercially available Careful monitoring of patients is required when gonadotropins are used in order to minimize the risk of side effects, such as ovarian hyperstimulation and multiple gestation.