If you are going to start IVF treatments, the first thing to know is that the procedure involves lots of medications. Be it before IVF, during IVF, or after IVF, you will be required to take certain medications that can potentially help you increase your chances of pregnancy.
Among those medications is decapeptyl. Decapeptyl is a fertility medication that has several uses in your IVF procedure. If you have been prescribed the medication and want to learn about its effects on your IVF treatment, then this article will help you with that.
Here, we have discussed the role of decapeptyl in IVF and some side effects you might experience due to it. Read till the end to know more about the medication.
The Role Of Decapeptyl In IVF
Decapetyl is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist drug. That is, this medication can mimic and enhance the gonadotropin response and help doctors have more control over your ovarian functions.
The main component of decapeptyl is triptorelin, a synthetic counterpart of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone. However, unlike the natural GnRH, this drug can last longer and have a high impact on the ovaries and ovulation.
Here are some ways Decapeptyl can help in IVF.
Controls ovulation
Egg retrieval has to happen before the mature eggs begin to be released from the ovaries. Decapeptyl can control ovulation by suppressing the Luteinizing Hormone (LH), allowing doctors more time to retrieve the egg follicles before ovulation.
Improves egg quality
Decapeptyl prevents premature ovulation and gives more time for the eggs to grow into healthy, mature eggs. This increases their quality and their chances of resulting in a pregnancy.
Helps monitor ovarian activity
If you are undergoing IVF with frozen or donor eggs or embryos, Decapeptyl can help suppress your natural ovulation cycle, allowing for a smoother and more successful IVF procedure.
Does Decapeptyl Have Any Side Effects?
It is common for some fertility medications you take during IVF to cause minor and very rarely major side effects. Decapeptyl is no different as it does cause you some side effects.
However, these side effects are mostly temporary and will go away after a few days. Some of the most common side effects of Decapeptyl are
- Swelling, pain, and redness in the injection site
- Weakness and fatigue
- Hot flashes and sweating
- Back pain
- Reduced sex drive
- Mood swings, irritability
- Headache and dizziness
- Nausea
- Tender breasts
You do not need to fear if you will have all these symptoms. Every person is different, and mostly you will only experience very few of these symptoms. These are just the list of the symptoms women have been noted to have after taking Decapepty injections.
Some rare side effects of Decapeptyl injections are
- Allergic reactions
- Decreased bone density
- Increased risks of having blood clots
All these are serious issues, and you should visit your fertility doctor and get treated immediately if you experience any of them.
Conclusion
Decapeptyl is a valuable drug that can be used in IVF to regulate ovulation, collect quality eggs, and thereby increase your chances of pregnancy.
However, you should also understand that it is not a drug you can take casually. It is a highly potent drug that should only be taken under medical supervision. So, only take this drug if your fertility doctor prescribes it for you.
Decapetyl is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist drug. That is, this medication can mimic and enhance the gonadotropin response and help doctors have more control over your ovarian functions.
Yes, sometimes the hormonal changes caused by Decapeptyl can cause slight weight gain. It can also cause other side effects like mood swings, fatigue, etc. Consult your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms after taking the medication.
Decapepty injections are mostly harmless. However, they can cause some minor side effects like swelling, pain, redness in the injection site, weakness and fatigue, hot flashes and sweating, back pain, reduced sex drive, mood swings, etc. Discuss with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
