Gonal F vs Menopur: Why Clinics Use Both Together

Gonal F vs Menopur: Understanding the Key Differences

Before diving into why clinics combine gonal f and menopur, let’s understand what makes each medication unique.

What Is Gonal F?

Gonal F (follitropin alfa) is synthetic follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). It’s a “recombinant” medication manufactured in laboratories to match your body’s natural FSH exactly. Gonal f stimulates your ovaries to develop multiple follicles, each containing an egg.

What Is Menopur?

Menopur (menotropins) contains both FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). It’s extracted from purified sources, making it a “human menopausal gonadotropin” or HMG medication. The added LH provides extra hormonal support that can enhance egg quality.

Gonal F vs Menopur: The Comparison

When comparing gonal f vs menopur, here are the critical differences:

Hormone Content: Gonal F contains FSH only, while Menopur includes both FSH and LH.

Source: Gonal F is recombinant (lab-made), whereas Menopur comes from natural human sources.

When Used: Gonal F works well alone for many patients. Menopur is often added when patients need LH supplementation for better egg quality.

Research from the National Library of Medicine shows both medications effectively stimulate follicle development, but combining them offers advantages for certain patients.

Why Top IVF Clinics Use Gonal F and Menopur Together

Leading fertility centers combine gonal f and menopur for several strategic reasons that improve patient outcomes.

The Synergistic Effect of Gonal F and Menopur

When you use gonal f and menopur together, you’re giving your ovaries two complementary hormonal signals. The FSH from both medications drives follicle development, while the LH from Menopur supports final egg maturation and quality. This dual-hormone approach creates a more complete stimulation protocol.

Better Egg Quality for Specific Patients

Some women naturally have low LH levels during ovarian stimulation. For these patients, the menopur and gonal f protocol provides the missing LH component, potentially improving egg quality and fertilization rates.

Studies suggest that adding LH activity particularly benefits:

• Women over 35 with declining egg quality
• Patients with low ovarian reserve (low AMH)
• Those who responded poorly to FSH-only protocols
• Women with specific hormone profiles suggesting LH deficiency

Customizable Treatment Protocols

Combining gonal f and menopur gives doctors greater flexibility. They can adjust the ratio of FSH-only medication (Gonal F) to FSH+LH medication (Menopur) based on your response during monitoring appointments. This customization isn’t possible with single-medication protocols.

How the Gonal F and Menopur Protocol Works

Understanding the typical IVF medication protocol using gonal f and menopur helps you know what to expect.

Standard Timeline

Days 2-3: Start daily injections of both gonal f and menopur. Your doctor determines specific doses based on your age, ovarian reserve, and previous responses.

Days 5-7: First monitoring with ultrasound and blood work. Medication doses may be adjusted based on follicle development.

Days 8-12: Continue injections with monitoring every 1-2 days. When follicles reach 18-20mm, you receive a trigger shot and stop both medications.

36 Hours Later: Egg retrieval occurs.

Typical Dosing for Gonal F vs Menopur

Common dosing patterns when using gonal f and menopur together:

• Gonal F: 150-300 IU daily
• Menopur: 75-150 IU daily

Your doctor customizes these amounts based on your specific situation and how your ovaries respond during monitoring.

How to Inject Both Medications

Both gonal f and menopur are subcutaneous injections (just under the skin). Most patients inject both medications at the same time each evening. You can use the same general area but inject in different spots a few inches apart. Rotating between left and right sides prevents irritation.

Side Effects When Using Gonal F and Menopur Together

Since you’re taking two medications, let’s address what side effects to expect when using gonal f and menopur together.

Common Side Effects

Most side effects are similar to those from either medication alone:

• Bloating and abdominal fullness (your ovaries are enlarging)
• Breast tenderness from rising estrogen
• Injection site redness or swelling
• Mood changes from hormone fluctuations
• Mild headaches
• Fatigue

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your clinic immediately if you experience severe abdominal pain, sudden weight gain (5+ pounds in 1-2 days), difficulty breathing, or severe nausea. These could indicate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which requires prompt medical attention.

Cost Comparison: Gonal F vs Menopur Pricing

Using gonal f and menopur together means purchasing both medications, which significantly impacts your IVF budget.

US Pharmacy Pricing

At US pharmacies, expect these typical costs:

Gonal F: $1,400-$3,200 per pen (depending on strength)
Menopur: $50-$80 per vial

A typical cycle requires 2-3 Gonal F pens ($3,000-$6,000) plus 15-30 Menopur vials ($750-$2,400).

Total US pharmacy cost: $3,750-$8,400 per cycle

Fast IVF Savings on Gonal F and Menopur

Fast IVF offers both medications at 50-70% below US retail prices through licensed European pharmacy sources.

Your savings using Fast IVF:

• US Pharmacy: $3,750-$8,400
• Fast IVF: $1,250-$2,940
• You Save: $2,500-$5,460 per cycle

These savings can fund additional IVF cycles if needed. Request a free price quote to see exact pricing for your prescribed medications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gonal F vs Menopur

Why use both gonal f and menopur instead of just one?

Your doctor prescribes both when they believe adding LH activity (from Menopur) will improve your egg quality or response. This particularly benefits women over 35, those with low ovarian reserve, or patients who haven’t responded well to FSH-only protocols.

Can I inject gonal f and menopur at the same time?

Yes. Most patients inject both during the same evening session using separate syringes in different spots (a few inches apart) on the abdomen or thighs.

Is using both medications more effective than Gonal F alone?

For some patients, particularly those needing LH supplementation, the combination appears more effective. Your doctor chooses based on your individual hormone profile and previous treatment responses.

Will I have more side effects using two medications?

Not necessarily. Side effects come from ovarian stimulation itself, not the number of medications. Similar follicle development produces similar side effects whether you use one medication or two.

How do I store both medications?

Unopened Gonal F pens require refrigeration at 36-46°F. Once opened, they can stay at room temperature for up to 28 days. Menopur powder stores at room temperature, though many patients refrigerate the mixed solution.

Are there alternatives to using gonal f and menopur?

Yes. Your doctor might use Follistim instead of Gonal F (both are recombinant FSH), or Meriofert instead of Menopur (both contain FSH and LH). Some protocols use only FSH medications without LH supplementation.

Why Choose Fast IVF for Your Gonal F and Menopur

Getting both medications through Fast IVF offers significant advantages:

Authentic Medications from Trusted Sources

Both gonal f and menopur arrive in original manufacturer packaging with proper lot numbers and expiration dates from licensed European pharmacies.

Temperature-Controlled Shipping

We ship with medical-grade cold packs in insulated packaging to maintain proper temperature throughout delivery.

Dramatic Cost Savings on Gonal F and Menopur

Save $2,500-$5,460 per cycle compared to US pharmacy prices. These savings make multiple IVF cycles financially feasible, significantly improving your overall chances of success.

Expert Support

Our team helps answer questions about storage, injection technique, or concerns during your cycle. Call us at 1-855-483-6278 anytime.

One Convenient Order

Order both gonal f and menopur together in a single transaction. No need to coordinate multiple pharmacies or shipments.

Taking Your Next Step with Gonal F vs Menopur

Using gonal f and menopur together represents a strategic approach trusted by leading IVF clinics. The combination of FSH from both medications plus LH from Menopur provides comprehensive ovarian stimulation that optimizes egg development and quality.

Understanding the difference between gonal f vs menopur, why doctors combine them, and what to expect during treatment helps you feel confident as you move through your IVF cycle.

Fast IVF makes accessing both medications simpler and dramatically more affordable, so financial concerns don’t stand between you and parenthood.

Your fertility journey deserves the best support possible. Let Fast IVF help make your IVF medications more accessible and affordable while you focus on preparing for your future family.