Medication Given

Drugs containing hormones will be given, usually of three types:

  • Stimulation of the growth and maturation of the eggs using daily injections or tablets. The injections contain the hormone that naturally causes egg production in the ovaries. These drugs are known as superovulatory drugs
  • When the ultrasound scanning and/or hormone measurements show that an adequate number of eggs are maturing, a final hormone injection is given which completes the maturing process. This injection must be carefully timed 34-38 hours before egg collection.

Some of these drugs can be taken by mouth but most have to be given by injection. Usually you can be taught to do this yourself at home.