MyFertilityGuide

Fertility pills can be found over the counter, online or prescribed by your family physician or reproductive endocrinologist. Depending upon the issue causing infertility, different medications or supplements available in pill form will be appropriate. The following is an overview of fertility pills that are available and does not include fertility drugs taken by injection or other form. Success rates vary.

Clomid

The most popularly prescribed fertility pill is Clomid because of its ability to induce ovulation in women who have issues with polycystic ovarian syndrome or anovulation—lack of ovulation or rare ovulation—a side effect of which is infertility. Its mode of action occurs through stimulating the pituitary gland to produce GnRH, a hormone, which in turn induces the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH facilitates maturation of the egg and LH stimulates ovulation or release of the egg.

Also known by its other brand name Serophene or its generic name, clomiphene, Clomid is also commonly prescribed to women with irregular periods, endometriosis, or luteal phase defect. For women who don’t ovulate at all, Clomid is successful in the production of one egg in a cycle but in many women it stimulates the production of multiple eggs, which in turn leads to a high rate of multiple births.

Fertility Supplements

Fertility supplements are another popular option for women who are not ready to go to an infertility specialist, have no discernable health issues that indicate infertility, or who prefer a more ‘natural’ approach. These are non-prescription herbal fertility pills which may or may not have been created by medical professionals and supported by clinical studies. Formulas for both men and women are available.

Fertility Pill Supplements for Women

Ingredients for women’s fertility supplements focus on hormone production and include:

• Chastetree berry (Vitex agnus castus) may stimulate luteinizing hormone and promote ovulation.
• Red clover blossoms (Trifolium pratense), provides isoflavones, which have a chemical makeup much like estrogen.

Fertility Pill Supplements for Men

Ingredients for men’s fertility supplements focus on sperm development and include:

• L-Carnitine, an amino acid that helps process of sperm formation, maturation, and metabolism after ejaculation.
• Grapeseed extract, an antioxidant that works in concert with vitamins E, C and B to fight oxidative damage caused by free radicals that may hinder fertility.

Note

This article is not intended as a recommendation or endorsement of any medication and should not be taken as medical advice. Do not start fertility treatment of any kind without consulting your doctor. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not embark on any herbal treatment or use fertility pills of any kind.