MENOPUR (MENOTROPINS)

Menopur Description

Menopur is an injectible hormone prescribed to women that are having difficulties becoming pregnant due to ovulation problems. As a fertility treatment Menotropins can stimulate your ovaries to encourage the development of a mature egg follicle and increase your chances of becoming pregnant or will prepare your eggs for invitro fertilization (IVF). There are many reasons for women to be unable to conceive, such as primary ovarian insufficiency, or early menopause.

How the Menopur Treatment Works

Menopur is a combination of a follicle stimulating hormone called FSH and luteinizing hormone called LH. When administered as directed by your fertility specialist, the FSH and LH in Menopur will increase the number of growing follicles as well as encourage their development. The follicle stimulating hormone also boosts estrogen production. The luteinizing hormone (LH) is triggered with the greater amount of estrogen available which causes the final maturation and release of an egg from your ovaries.

Once the follicle develops, another injection containing human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is administered in order to cause ovulation which should occur about 38 hours after the injection. The procedure for egg retrieval is usually scheduled about 36 hours after the hCG injection. The rest of the fertilization procedure takes place by directly injecting sperm into the eggs retrieved or cultured in an IVF lab for 2-5 days and then embryo transfer is performed with 1 or more eggs.

Conditions Treated by Menopur

Men can also benefit from taking Menopur as a way to increase their sperm count for a higher chance of impregnating their spouse or partner. A low sperm count could be caused by a swelling of the veins that drain the testicle called varicocele. This condition can cause a higher temperature in your testicle and lead to fewer sperm.

Infections of the male urinary tract can create scarring that interferes with the sperms’ ability to pass into the ejaculate. These are only a couple of reasons for a low sperm count so discuss this possibility with your doctor so testing can be done to see if there is a medical reason.

Before You Take Menopur

Make certain you are not already pregnant before you start taking Menopur. Review your medical history with your doctor so it can be decided if Menopur (Menotropins) is the right drug for your situation and list all current OTC and Rx medications you are taking, including homeopathic remedies and vitamin supplements. You should not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Important Information About Menopur

Having certain health conditions or taking other drugs can interfere with how Menopur will perform or cause unintended side effects. Menopur may increase your risk of a tubal pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, multiple births, premature labor, birth defects, or fever after childbirth if you become pregnant after being treated with this medicine. Discuss these risks with your doctor.

Possible Side Effects of Menopur

• Weight gain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Breast tenderness
• Irritation at injection site

You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects associated with Menopur: joint pain; muscle ache; flu-like symptoms.