Egg donor medications
As with most medical medical procedures, there are some medications involved. We guide you and make sure you have all the information and support you need to work with the doctor and start the protocol to begin creating eggs. Your health and security are always first and foremost.
Medications
Birth control pills
21 Days
BCP or OCP
Purpose
Stabilizes the egg donor’s (ED) hormones and makes it possible to time other medications.
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, breast tenderness, temporary weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased libido
Corticosteroids
7-10 days
Steroid
Purpose
Suppresses some hormones in EDs with polycystic ovaries (PCO)
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, temporary weight gain, mood changes, insomnia
Follicle stimulating hormone
7-10 days
FSH
Purpose
Stimulates and matures the eggs that will be donated.
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Bloating, mood changes, hot flashes, headache, temporary weight gain, OHSS (rare), multiple gestation (rare), ectopic (tubal) pregnancy (rare), ovarian twisting (rare), injection site skin reactions
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist
4-5 days
GnRH Antagonist
Purpose
Prevents premature release of hormones during the cycle; prevents OHSS
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Headache, nausea, pelvic pain, fatigue
Human chorionic gonadotropin
1 day (36-40 hours before retrieval)
hCG (Trigger Shot)
Purpose
Fully matures the eggs before they are retrieved
Method
Small injection
Side effects
Bloating, mood changes, hot flashes, headache
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist
7-10 days (During Cycle)
1 day (Trigger Shot - 36-40 hours before retrieval)
“GnRH Agonist” (Trigger Shot)
Purpose
Stops the production of some fertility hormones: allows ED to donate a good number of high quality eggs.
Helps prevent a hormone surge during the cycle which can cause a cycle cancellation.
Method
Two small injections
Side effects
Mood changes, hot flashes, headache
Antibiotics
7-10 days
Antibiotic
Purpose
Decreases risk of infection during egg retrieval
Method
Pill taken orally
Side effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, abdominal pain
Disclaimer: These are a list of the typical medications used by an egg donor. You may or may not use all of these. The physicians managing your individual journey will determine your protocol.
ConceiveAbilities® would like to acknowledge Board Certified Reproductive Endocrinologist, Angeline Beltsos M.D., for her care and consideration in providing this information on egg donor medications. Dr. Beltsos has served as the Medical Director of Fertility Centers of Illinois, SC IVF-River North.
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