"We've had quite a lot of success with several new drug therapies," comments Uniontown Ob/Gyn Dr. Raj Popat. "But the most important thing to remember about fertility drugs is that they are only appropriate for women who have problems with ovulation."
Dr. Popat explains that fertility drugs aren't appropriate for all couples because there are many other underlying causes of infertility (defined as regular, unprotected intercourse for at least one year that has not resulted in a pregnancy). Low sperm count in the male, blockages in a woman's fallopian tubes due to prior infection and other problems must first be ruled out before any fertility drug therapy is begun.
"Typically, the first step to inducing ovulation is through a drug called clomiphene, which may be combined with several other drugs, such as Prednisone, Troglitazone or chorionic gonadotrophin injection," says Dr. Popat. "After 3-4 cycles, if pregnancy does not result, then we move on to other options to stimulate the production of hormones that trigger ovulation."
Dr. Popat notes that some women have high levels of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. This hormone interferes with ovulation and can be suppressed with a new drug called Cabergoline, which has fewer side effects and is taken at a lower dosage than its predecessor, Bromocryptine.
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