Treatment begins 2 to 3 days after menstruation and continues until the 7th day. A blood test will be done at this time to measure the levels of the hormone estradiol. If levels are not high enough, the dose of gonadotropin usually needs to be increased. If the patient reacts too strongly to the drug, the dosage can be appropriately reduced to avoid excessive stimulation of the follicles. In addition, sound waves are used to track follicular development. When estradiol levels are within the normal range and one or both follicles are fully developed, human chorionic gonadotropin is injected as a replacement for luteinizing hormone to trigger ovulation. Ovulation usually occurs within 36 hours. If estradiol levels are very high and four or more follicles are developing, human chorionic gonadotropin is generally not needed to avoid multiple births or ovarian overstimulation.
Most of the other gonadotropin preparations currently in use are manufactured in the laboratory through recombinant DNA technology. They can be injected under the skin like insulin for diabetics.
A large number of clinical studies have shown thatthere is almost no major difference between gonadotropin therapy and other treatments in terms of safety and effectiveness. The probability of ovulation in women who receive treatment is about 90%. If they ovulate, about 25% of women can become pregnant in each cycle, which is equivalent to the pregnancy rate of fertile women. Of course, the age factor cannot be ignored either. After 3 cycles of treatment, most women can get what they want except for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The choice of treatment often depends on the physician\’s experience with the drug or the patient\’s preference for price and injection method. For women with PCOS, long-term low-dose follicle-stimulating hormone is more effective than high-dose gonadotropin because it reduces overstimulation of the ovaries.
This treatment can produce some minor adverse reactions, such as getting angry at the injection site and demanding that the injection method be changed. There may be increased cervical mucus, fatigue, mood swings, headaches, bloating, abdominal pain and weight gain, which can affect the lives of women undergoing treatment.
Gonadotropin therapy also has some major risks: an increased chance of multiple pregnancies and mild or even severe ovarian hyperstimulation. The multiple pregnancy rate is approximately 20%, with twins being the most common. Taking low-dose medication within 2 to 3 weeks can reduce the probability of 2 to 3 embryos developing.
When women are dissatisfied with current treatments, they often choose to expedite treatment and are willing to risk multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies carry the risk that the babies will not survive because there are noPlenty of room for them to develop. In order to ensure that at least one baby will survive, some women with multiple pregnancies usually choose to appropriately reduce the number of fetuses.
About 20% of women receiving gonadotropin therapy will have mild ovarian enlargement, sometimes accompanied by abdominal discomfort. Severe ovarian hyperstimulation is rare, occurring in approximately 1.3% of patients. Symptoms caused by severe and mild ovarian stimulation generally begin to appear 5 to 7 days after taking the drug. These symptoms may include abdominal pain and bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Women receiving treatment should be carefully monitored with frequent blood tests and ultrasounds so that their dosage can be adjusted and adverse effects avoided. Regardless of the test results, women should be alert to the first signs of ovarian/abdominal discomfort and notify their physician immediately.
Unless serious complications occur, bed rest and medication are the most useful interventions to relieve ovarian hyperstimulation. Many symptoms subside within 1 to 2 weeks.
This article is provided by Baidu Reading and is excerpted from \”The Clear \”Conception\” Plan\” Author: Sun Jianqiu and Xie Yingbiao