Infertility and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

December 1st, 2009 by admin

The Effects, Risks and Side Effects Associated With Follicle Stimulating Hormone

Conventional medicine is the first essential treatment normally given to couples who might not be able to have children or experience miscarriages after having unprotected sex for over a year, hence making it necessary to understand infertility and FSH effects, risks and other side effects. With the ever-evolving technology in the medical field, conventional medicine proves to be vital in infertility treatment though it has few side effects. This article talks about Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), its meaning, its effects, possible side effects and any potential threat involved in hormonal imbalance treatment using conventional medication.

When testing for infertility, it is also very common to check for FSH levels. In essence, FSH levels and infertility testing are normally carried as one complete process. FSH levels test is part of the first three tests regularly provided to couples experiencing infertility problems. The next test normally used after the FSH levels, involves analyzing the man’s semen by checking for possible problems in sperm motility, sperm abnormalities or sperm count. The third infertility test usually happens at the start of infertility tests, involves checking for any blockages in a female’s fallopian tubes. This test is called hysterosalpingogram or an HSG.

1. Definition
Follicle stimulating hormone or FSH consists of purified urine from post-menopause women. FSH is used for follicle stimulation, egg production and ovulation disorder treatment.

2. Effects of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on infertile women
The medication should be only given to women who have ovulation complications for instance failure to respond to medication of ovulatory dysfunction and yet they have high LH levels as we had mentioned in our previous article.

a) Follicle Enhancer
Follicle stimulating hormone or FHS, is produced by front pituitary glands resulting from secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormones leading to discharge of low amounts of GrNH in a woman’s body, hence causing low discharge of FSH and eventually low amounts of FSH. This interrupts ovulation and production of follicles, which is necessary for producing eggs in the ovaries.

b) Egg Production
Apart from stimulating follicles production, it assists in enhancing mature production as well as extruding mature eggs to a woman’s fallopian tube, which is an essential element that helps women in conceiving.

Since infertility and FSH are interrelated, women going through follicle-stimulating hormone treatment need up-close monitoring by their personal doctor.

3. FSH Side effects
Research indicates that the FSH infertility medication poses a risk of increasing changes in the menstrual cycle and other risks such as cramps, abnormal pains and vaginal bleeding.

4. Risks
a) FSH treatment can lead to ectopic pregnancy which may result from production of eggs that are mature in excess and are extruded to the fallopian tubes or anywhere else.

b) Another risk is a miscarriage due to less progesterone, which supports embryo’s development.

c) Infertility and FSH medication can also lead to ovarian cysts.