FSH MEDICATIONS HALF-PRICE
All
estrogen in the body comes from testosterone. Over the past
few years, multiple studies have shown superb pregnancy
rates using a breast cancer drug (letrozole, also called
Femara) to induce ovulation in infertile couples. Letrozole
blocks the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. The
brain senses low estrogen levels, and releases follicle
stimulating hormone, which in turn stimulates the ovaries
to mature additional eggs. Letrozole is a pill which is
usually taken from the third to the seventh day of the menstrual
cycle. We like to start injections of FSH (typically Repronex)
on the seventh day. Repronex injections are continued for
two to seven days, and artificial insemination usually performed.
Several studies have shown pregnancy rates better than 20%
per cycle with this medical regimen and it costs half as
much as taking injections of FSH alone for the whole ten
days. Although we have had many pregnancies with the combination
of letrozole and Repronex, we have not had any triplets
or high order multiple births. Letrozole is not approved
by the Food and Drug Administration for uses other than
breast cancer. Infertile women taking letrozole rarely have
side effects (typically leg and muscle cramps).
