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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Before starting treatment with &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-are-gonadotropins-1960179&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;gonadotropins&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; \u2013 sometimes referred to as injectables \u2013 your doctor should explain to you the potential side effects and risks of treatment. You may be taking gonadotropins together with &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/clomid-treatment-101-1960183&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Clomid&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, on their own, as part of an &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-iui-treatment-1960187&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;IUI cycle&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, or as part of an &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ivf-procedures-risks-success-1960208&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;IVF treatment&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; cycle.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Gonadotropins are also used for &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/whats-involved-in-becoming-an-egg-donor-1959911&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;women donating their eggs&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; and for &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/egg-freezing-and-vitrification-1960186&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;egg freezing procedures&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;. Most gonadotropin side effects are mild, but in rare cases, some can be serious and even life-threatening.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Important note! &amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;Not all possible side effects and risks are listed below. If you are experiencing severe side effects, unusual symptoms, or are concerned for any reason, contact your doctor. The information in this article does not replace consultation with a medical professional.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;What Medications Are Considered Gonadotropins?&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Gonadotropins are fertility drugs containing &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-fsh-pcos-terms-2616374&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;FSH&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/luteinizing-hormone-lh-1960085&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;LH&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, or a combination of the two (which is called human menopausal gonadotropins, or hMG). They also include the hormone &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-pregnancy-hormone-hcg-1960127&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;hCG&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, which is biochemically similar to LH.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;These hormones are taken via injection.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Gonadotropins can be produced either in a lab using &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/fertility-drugs-1960184&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;recombinant DNA technology&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, or they can be extracted and purified from the urine of postmenopausal or pregnant women.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Brand names of gonadotropins created using recombinant DNA technology include Gonal-F (rFSH), Follistim (rFSH), Puregon (rFSH), Luveris (rLH), and Ovidrel (rHCG).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Bravelle, Metrodin, and Fertinex are brand names for urinary extracted FSH.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Novarel, Pregnyl, and Profasi are urinary extracted hCG.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Brand names of urinary extracted human menopausal gonadotropins (a combination of FSH and LH) include Humegon, Menogon, Pergonal, Repronex, and Menopur.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Side Effects of Gonadotropins&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;em&amp;gt;Note: The percentages below refer to research comparing Gonal-F \u2013 which is rFSH, created in a lab using recombinant DNA technology -- and urofollitropin, or uFSH, which is purified FSH extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women. Rates may vary slightly from drug to drug, but gonadotropin treatment side effects are generally similar. &amp;lt;/em&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Possible side effects of gonadotropins include:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Headache (rFSH: 22%, uFSH: 20.2%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Nausea (rFSH: 13.6% , uFSH: 3.5%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Upper respiratory tract infection (rFSH: 11.9%, uFSH: 7.9%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Abdominal tenderness (rFSH: 9.3%, uFSH: 12.3%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Gas (rFSH: 6.8%, uFSH: 8.8%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Sinus congestion (rFSH: 5.1%, uFSH: 5.3%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;General achiness (rFSH: 5.9%, uFSH: 6.1%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Mood swings (rFSH: 5.1%, uFSH: 2.6%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Acne (rFSH: 4.2% , uFSH: 2.6%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Breast tenderness (rFSH: 4.2%, uFSH: 6.1% )&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Weight gain (rFSH: 3.6%, uFSH: 0.0%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Pelvic discomfort (rFSH: 2.5%, uFSH: 6.1%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Abnormal bleeding or spotting (rFSH: 2.5%, uFSH: 0.9%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Vomiting (rFSH: 2.5% , uFSH: 2.6%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Injection site pain, redness (rFSH: 2.5%, uFSH: 0.9%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Dizziness (rFSH: 2.5%, uFSH: 0.0%)&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Risks of Gonadotropins&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: OHSS occurs when the ovaries and abdomen become swollen with fluid. Up to 10 to 20% of women will develop a mild form of OHSS, which will usually resolve on its own. It is important to report even mild symptoms to your doctor, so she can carefully monitor you.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you have &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos-1959930&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;11&amp;quot;&amp;gt;PCOS&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;, you are at a higher risk of developing OHSS.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Severe OHSS occurs in less than 1% of patients. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience vomiting, severe abdominal or pelvic pain, rapid weight gain, or severe bloating.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ovarian-hyperstimulation-syndrome-ohss-1960185&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;12&amp;quot;&amp;gt;OHSS Symptoms and Treatment&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Multiple pregnancy&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: Depending on which study you look at, the rate of multiples with gonadotropin treatment is anywhere from 2% to 30%, with up to 5% triplet or higher order pregnancies.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Clinical trials found that multiple pregnancies occurred 12 to 14% of the time when using rFSH or uFSH respectively. Careful monitoring and using the lowest effective dose can reduce the risk.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;When using gonadotropins during IUI or alone, it\u2019s much harder to control the risk of multiples than when used during IVF. During IVF, your doctor can transfer a single embryo.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you are concerned about the risk of multiples, and you are using injectables as part of an IUI cycle, you may want to ask your doctor about &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-mini-or-micro-ivf-1960214&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;13&amp;quot;&amp;gt;mini-IVF&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/twin-pregnancy-risks-1960314&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;14&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Twin Pregnancy Risks to the Mother and Baby&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Ovarian cysts&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: Ovarian cysts occur commonly with gonadotropins. With rFSH, they occur about 15% of the time, and with uFSH they occur about 29% of the time.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Usually, they resolve on their own. In rare cases, may require surgical intervention.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Injection site infection&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: Some redness and tenderness is normal, but in rare cases, the injection site may become infected. Contact your doctor if you notice at the injection site increasing redness, constant warmth, swelling, puss, odor, or severe pain. Also, if you get a fever over 101, contact your doctor.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Adnexal torsion (or ovarian twisting)&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: In rare cases (less than 2% of the time), the ovary may twist, rupture, or bleed, requiring surgical intervention. This occurs because the ovary becomes heavy and enlarged from the stimulation.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Ectopic pregnancy&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: The risk of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/ectopic-pregnancy-p2-1960118&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;15&amp;quot;&amp;gt;ectopic pregnancy&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is slight increased when taking gonadotropins. Ectopic pregnancies can be life threatening or may require surgical intervention.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;strong&amp;gt;Blood clots&amp;lt;/strong&amp;gt;: Extremely rare (4.2 per 1,000) but can be life threatening.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The increased blood clot risk is not just during treatment, but, if you conceive, continues to be higher during the pregnancy.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you experience symptoms of a possible blood clot \u2013 swelling or pain one leg, warmth in the affected area, change in skin color (redness, bluish, or pale) -- contact your doctor immediately.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;If you develop symptoms of a pulmonary embolism \u2013 sudden onset of shortness of breath, chest pain that worsens when you try to take a deep breath or when you cough, feeling lightheaded or faint, rapid pulse, sweating, coughing up blood, a sense of impending doom \u2013 get medical help immediately.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;cite&amp;gt;Sources&amp;lt;/cite&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Gonal-f (follitropin alfa for injection). Drug information sheet. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/20378scf015_gonal_lbl.pdf&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;16&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2004/20378scf015_gonal_lbl.pdf&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Henriksson P, Westerlund E, Wall\u00E9n H, Brandt L, Hovatta O, Ekbom A. \u201CIncidence of pulmonary and venous thromboembolism in pregnancies after in vitro fertilisation: cross-sectional study.\u201D BMJ. 2013 Jan 15;346:e8632. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e8632. &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3546085/&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;externalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;17&amp;quot;&amp;gt;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3546085/&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Side Effects of Gonadotropins: Patient Fact Sheet. American Society for Reproductive Medicine.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/gonadotropin-side-effects-1959875>