Fertility drugs can be used to help the 20 percent of women who are unable to get pregnant. These drugs are used to make women form and release eggs. Not all women are successful with these therapies.

Your health plan may or may not cover this care. Drugs used include clomiphene citrate, bromocriptine, gonadotropins, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Some of these are taken in the form of tablets while others are given as shots.

Clomiphene is used in women with a mild disorder and normal hormone levels. This can usually make 80 percent of these women ovulate and half of those will get pregnant during therapy. Twins are slightly more common with this drug. The side effects of this drug include hot flashes, nausea, breast tenderness, and some vision changes.

Bromocriptine is used in a specific group of women with a high prolactin level. The pregnancy rate is returned to normal in these women. The side effects of the medicine can be headache, upset stomach, light headedness, and a stuffy nose.

Gonadotropins are used in women with low hormone levels. Close monitoring is needed with this therapy to prevent severe side effects and multiple pregnancies. Success is related to the cause of the problem and the age of the woman. Most pregnancies will occur within the first 6 cycles.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone may be used before one of the other therapies or as specific treatment by itself. This may give menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or no symptoms at all.

Recent information suggests that there is an increased risk of ovarian cancer in a woman who has used these drugs. More studies are underway to determine if a real concern exists.

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