4.5.3.6 The use of hormones to treat infertility

What are fertility drugs used to do and how?

They increase the chance of pregnancy as the main hormones used are FSH and LH because they stimulate the maturation and release of the egg and the woman can then become pregnant naturally

How does In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) work?

The mother is given FSH and LH to encourage the maturation eggs. These eggs are extracted from the mother and fertilised in a lab using sperm, and these eggs develop into embryos and then one or two are inserted in the uterus

What is the benefit of IVF?

It provides a way for an infertile couple to have a child

What are the cons of IVF?

Physically stressful as women may have reactions to the hormones, emotionally stressful as it may not work, can lead to multiple births, can be expensive if process needs to be repeated