How Fertility Drugs Work
Two out of every three cases of infertility stem from a problem with the man or with both partners. In the remaining cases, the problem is in the woman’s reproductive system. A common problem is ovulation disorder. This is a condition in which the ovaries do not work the way they are supposed to.
Ovaries normally make hormones and store eggs. For eggs to grow and be released, there needs to be an adequate supply of two special hormones that come from the pituitary gland in the brain. The first is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The second is luteinizing hormone (LH). With ovulation disorders, there may not be enough of these hormones.
Some fertility drugs—such as Clomid (clomiphene) and Pergonal (menotropins)—mimic the actions of FSH and LH. ART uses these and other drugs to over-stimulate the ovaries. This results in the production of eggs. In some cases, the ovaries produce many eggs each cycle. Normally, only one is produced.