Menotropins Injection: Uses, Dosages & Side Effects
Menotropin is another name for human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).
Menopausal gonadotropin is derived from the urine of women who have been menopausal for several years.
Menopausal gonadotropin contains two types of hormones: Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The pituitary gland in the brain produces these hormones.
In women, the combination of FSH (also known as follitropin) and LH (also known as lutropin) is needed to develop an egg, ovulate, and initiate pregnancy.
In men, follitropin stimulates sperm production, while lutropin promotes the production of male sex hormones.
Doctors prescribe this drug to treat reduced fertility
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Cost |
| Menotropins | Menopur | Menopur 75 IU ~ $85.00 |
| Menotropins | Merional | Merional 75 IU ~ $48.00 |
| Menotropins | Merional | Merional 150 IU ~ $83.00 |
| Menotropins | Menogon | Menogon 75 IU ~ $40.00 |
| Menotropins | Repronex | Repronex 75 IU $300.00 – 550.00 |
Side Effects of Menotropins
Contents
In addition to its desired effect, this drug can cause side effects. The side effects vary between women and men.
Side Effects in Women
Uncommon (infrequent):
- Pain at the injection site, redness, swelling, itching and bruising. Especially during the first few days of treatment,
- Headache,
- Breast pain.
Rarely:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and abdominal pain.
- Increased blood pressure. If you already have elevated blood pressure, consult your doctor about whether you can safely use this medicine.
- Bloated appearance, such as a swollen abdomen.
- Weight gain.
- An overreaction of the ovaries can lead to the development of too many eggs. This can result in severe symptoms, including a risk of thrombosis. The symptoms of this overreaction become noticeable after ovulation and include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, sudden weight gain of more than two kilos, shortness of breath, and little to no urination. If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately notify your doctor.
- Multiple pregnancies can occur as a result of using this drug, which can cause multiple eggs to develop simultaneously. This could potentially lead to twins or multiple births.
Very Rarely:
A skin rash, itching, and hives may occur due to hypersensitivity to this drug. If you experience these side effects, report them to your doctor. Your doctor may discontinue the treatment and sometimes test for hypersensitivity to other preparations. In case of severe shortness of breath, seek immediate medical attention.
In women who have had or currently have breast cancer, there is a possibility that the tumor could grow or recur due to the use of this drug. However, this has not been definitively proven. It is advisable to consult with your doctor about this.
Side Effects in Men
Uncommon (infrequent):
- Pain at the injection site, accompanied by redness, swelling, itching, and bruising, especially during the initial days of treatment.
- Acne.
- Weight gain.
- Episodes of dizziness and fainting.
- Headaches, irregular heartbeat, and nosebleeds.
Rare:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Increased blood pressure. If you already have elevated blood pressure. If so, consult your doctor about whether you can safely use this medicine.
- Swelling of the breasts with a tight feeling. Swelling disappears after several weeks or after stopping treatment.
Very Rarely:
- Skin rash, itching and hives due to hypersensitivity to this drug. Report these side effects to your doctor. They will stop treatment and may sometimes try to see if you are not hypersensitive to another preparation. In case of severe tightness, consult your doctor immediately.
- Varicose veins above and behind the testicles.
Please consult your doctor if you experience severe symptoms from any of the side effects above or if you encounter other side effects that cause you concern.
Uses of Menotropins
How to?
This medication should be injected into a muscle or under the skin. The doctor will determine the appropriate site for injection in your case.
Typically, either you or your partner will administer the injections. The doctor or nurse will provide detailed instructions on how to do this. If any part of the process is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification.
When?
Egg Maturation
Treatment begins within a week after the first day of menstruation. You will receive daily injections for at least one week. The dosage of menopausal gonadotropin depends on the egg cell development, which the doctor monitors through ultrasound or blood tests.
IVF
The doctor initiates the treatment on the second or third day after the start of your cycle. You will then receive daily injections until the eggs have matured sufficiently.
Sperm Production
You usually begin this medication several weeks after starting the hormone human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG).
How long?
Egg Maturation
This process involves daily injections of a specific drug for a period ranging from six to 14 days. The doctor uses ultrasound or blood tests to monitor the maturation of the eggs.
Once the eggs have matured sufficiently, you will stop taking this drug and receive a hormone to initiate ovulation (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, hCG).
The eggs must be fertilized on the day of ovulation and the following day. Therefore, you must either have intercourse or undergo insemination on these days.
IVF
On average, it takes six to 14 days for the eggs to mature sufficiently. However, this duration can vary, taking as few as five or as many as 20 days. The doctor monitors this process with an ultrasound or blood test.
Once the eggs have matured, you will receive a hormone to initiate ovulation. The doctor can remove the eggs from the ovaries approximately a day and a half later.
Sperm Production
This process involves receiving an injection three times a week for several months up to a year and a half. After a few months, the doctor will determine whether sperm production has started. Achieving the desired effect may take up to a year and a half. If there is no effect after a year and a half, there is no point in continuing the treatment.
What You Should Know About Menotropins (FAQ)
Forgotten Dose
It is essential to follow the doctor’s or nurse’s instructions about when to inject the hormone. If you miss a dose or something interferes, an entire IVF attempt may be jeopardized! If you do forget a dose:
Do you remember it on the same day? Then, inject the drug as soon as possible. Didn’t discover it until the next day? Then consult your physician.
Driving, Drinking Alcohol, and Eating
There are no restrictions associated with this drug.
Interaction
Menotropins interact with many other hormones. Hormones may work against each other, or the combination may be necessary for a beneficial effect. Therefore, expert guidance from a specialist is necessary to determine the exact combination of the different hormones.
Pregnancy
DO NOT use this drug if you are pregnant. It may affect the development of the baby. It is important to ensure that you are not pregnant before starting this medicine.
Breastfeeding
DO NOT use this drug if you are breastfeeding. This is because this medicine can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the child. If you wish to breastfeed, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different drug (temporarily) that you can use safely.
For Women: If you stop these injections prematurely, the treatment may fail. Consult your doctor if you wish to stop. Therapy with these hormones is very delicate, and it may be healthier for you to complete the treatment or take other hormones to finish the treatment.
For Men: You can stop the treatment at any time. Consult your doctor if you are also taking other hormones. Therapy with these hormones is very delicate, and it may be healthier for you to complete the treatment or take other hormones to finish the treatment.
Menopausal gonadotropin has been available internationally since 1963. It is available as a prescription injection under the brand name Menopur. Menopausal gonadotropin is also known as menotropin.