Women over 40 have unique fertility needs. Due to the fact that fertility rapidly declines after 40, the risk of complications is higher, and there is a limited amount of time to treat infertility. Below, we will take a look at which fertility drugs for women over 40 are most effective.

Fertility Drugs

Oral Medication‍

Oral medications like Clomid and Femara, in combination with treatments like IUI, are usually the first course of treatment in infertility. However, unless you have a good egg count and your doctor believes that you are likely to respond well to oral medications, these may not be the right fertility drugs for women over 40. Because fertility declines so rapidly each year after the age of 40, doctors are much more likely to recommend IVF as the first curse of treatment.

‍Injectable Gonadotropins

‍If you decide to go through IVF, injectable gonadotropins will be used to suppress ovulation and stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. Injectable gonadotropins have a powerful ability to cause the ovaries to produce extra eggs, which are then used during IVF. Because egg quality and egg count are much lower after the age of 40, it is often the case that fewer eggs are produced during the stimulation, and some of the eggs that are collected may not be suitable for use in IVF. Women over the age of 40 respond to injectable gonadotropins differently than younger women. Your doctor will choose a medication schedule based on your needs and your response to medication in any previous cycles.

‍Progesterone

‍Progesterone is important in implantation and in the prevention of miscarriage and pre-term labor, but progesterone levels decline after the age of 40, when women reach perimenopause. This can make the risk of miscarriage higher even in the absence of any chromosomal abnormalities. Depending on your natural progesterone levels, your doctor is likely to recommend progesterone supplementation in the early weeks of pregnancy or longer. Each case is unique, and only a doctor can tell you which fertility drugs are appropriate in your case. Dr. Randy Morris would be happy to meet with you about which fertility drugs for women over 40 are right for you. To schedule your consultation today, please click below and enter your information or call IVF1 at (630) 357-6540.