The two oral medications that are most usually recommended to treat infertility are clomiphene and letrozole (Femara). They are frequently prescribed to patients who have unexplained infertility or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Several studies reveal that they help increase the chances of getting pregnant during ovulation. Letrozole works equally as well as or even better than clomiphene, despite the fact that it is not FDA-approved for the treatment of infertility.
Multiple pregnancies (such as triplets or twins) are possible even while taking the best fertility pills to get pregnant like Clomiphene and Letrozole. There may be issues as a result of this. The inability to get pregnant after at least a year of unprotected sex (or six months if you are 35 or older) is referred to as infertility.
- Approximately 19% of females in the age group of 15 to 49 are affected, making it a fairly common condition.
- Nevertheless, it does not make it any less aggravating. Thus, pills to get pregnant are often considered as a treatment.
- Fortunately, there are numerous fertility medications that can be helpful. Medicines (including oral tablets and injections), surgeries, and medical procedures are among the other available alternatives.
- Sometimes conception pills are combined with healthcare procedures to increase the likelihood of success.
- Letrozole (Femara) and Clomiphene are two popular prescription fertility pills used to treat infertility.
In this post, we will run you through details about Clomiphene and Letrozole for fertility and how they can help enhances the chances of conceiving.
Understanding Ovulation and Role of Hormones in Pregnancy
Certain kinds of female infertility treatment are managed with the help of Clomiphene and Letrozole. They have an impact on some hormones in your body. But we need to have a fundamental understanding of ovulation in order to comprehend how these pills function. When you ovulate, the ovaries release one mature egg during the menstrual cycle. And the sperm can fertilize a mature egg for which, the timed process is aided by hormones such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone.
Problems with ovulation, including PCOS can be brought on by hormonal abnormalities. For women with PCOS, help getting pregnant through treatment is sometimes necessary. A leading reason for infertility is PCOS. Ovulation is either impossible for those with PCOS or occurs infrequently. Additionally, fertilization and pregnancy are not possible without an egg.
Working and Function of Fertility Pills for Women
Letrozole and Clomiphene aid in ovulation stimulation. Also, they can increase the number of mature eggs released each cycle. This increases the likelihood of women’s fertility and pregnancy. With scheduled sexual activity or artificial insemination (IUI or intrauterine insemination), these fertility pills are frequently administered. A selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) is Clomiphene. It functions by clinging to estrogen receptors in the brain and ovaries, which are chemical binding sites.
The body is deceived into believing that estrogen levels are low by this. By releasing more FSH, your body will try to increase fertility and remedy the situation. FSH promotes the maturation of eggs and aids in the production of estrogen in the body. Your body releases a significant amount of LH when an egg is prepared, which causes ovulation to occur.
Why Letrozole is considered one of the most successful fertility pills for women because it is an aromatase inhibitor. Infertility is treated by inhibiting aromatase. This protein/enzyme converts androgens (such as testosterone) into estrogens. Letrozole reduces the quantity of estrogen in your body by inhibiting aromatase. Your body will begin producing more FSH to fulfill this loss, just like it did with Clomiphene. Ovulation happens because of an increase in FSH and thereafter LH.
What Makes Letrozole and Clomiphene Different and Effective?
Both Letrozole and Clomiphene aid in ovulation stimulation, despite the fact that they operate differently. However, these fertility pills to get pregnant are different from each other in a few aspects. For infertility, only clomiphene has FDA approval. Letrozole is utilized for this function off-label. Only the treatment of breast cancer is authorized. Studies, however, indicate that it functions at least as well as Clomiphene and occasionally even better.
Clomiphene lingers in your body for a lot longer after taking fertility medicine than Letrozole does. It may take many weeks for clomiphene to completely leave your body. It only takes Letrozole a few days to a week to go. You may have side effects for a longer period of time the longer a medicine is in your system. For decades, the first choice for PCOS-related infertility is Clomiphene for treatment. And so is Letrozole if considering the off-label use.
Studies indicate that ovulation stimulation generally works fairly well. Thus, medicine to get pregnant fast can be either of the mentioned pills. In fact, Clomiphene users successfully ovulate in between 60% and 85% of cases. However, only about 30% to 50% of women who take the medication for six menstrual cycles actually become pregnant.
What Are Pills for Fertility, Birth Control, and Pregnancy Termination?
Remember they are not for medical abortion at home but used to treat the inability to confuse. People often confuse contraceptive pills, pregnancy termination pills, and fertility pills. If you have any doubts about the detailed function of each of these medication categories, then research the same, or speak with your healthcare provider for better information.
While missed period pills are used to end a pregnancy, and birth control pills prevent pregnancy. The medicines to treat infertility, on the other hand, help you in getting pregnant. All of these medicines are essential for the reproductive health of a woman. But they differ in action mechanism, as well as directed for different purposes. You must only take these pills after consulting your physician. Because many times, health issues can interfere with their effective working.
- Emergency Contraception and Birth Control
If you are looking for immediate birth control after unprotected intercourse, then you can take emergency contraceptive medicine instead within 72 hours. Plan B is an example here. It stops implantation by shedding the endometrial lining. But if a pregnancy already takes place, then the emergency contraception will not work. So, you must use it after a failed pregnancy prevention method of intercourse, as soon as possible.
- Medicines to End a Pregnancy
And if you want a natural miscarriage in first-trimester pregnancy, then you can take oral Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills (buccally or vaginally). These medicines combinedly break the endometrial lining and stop pregnancy by blocking the progesterone hormone. The fetus remains detached from the uterus wall and ready to be expelled through heavy vaginal bleeding. The uterine contractions that follow may cause abdominal pain and cramps. For this, you can take pain relief medicines.
The missed period pills also widen the cervix for the exit of the large blood clots containing the pregnancy tissues and portions. Until the womb empties, the bleeding continues but reduces after that. However, light bleeding or spotting can stay on for a few weeks. Now, fertility pills can cause pregnancy as well, and if you do not want to keep the pregnancy for some reason, then you have to take consent from your physician you can choose a medical method to end a pregnancy or not.
Final Words
Fertility medications are important for improving women’s healthcare. Several people with problems getting pregnant can take treatment with Clomiphene or Letrozole. And if you need medicine for abortion, then Mifepristone and Misoprostol pills are good. For birth control, you can follow pill options, or non-hormonal methods as well. Speak with your healthcare provider for the best advice.