• Oral Contraceptives (i.e.. Birth Control Pills) *This medications are required to be taken for a period of time (approx.30-45 days) in order to synchronize your menstrual cycle with the Intended Mother or a gestational surrogate.
• GnRH AGONIST (Lupron, Synarel or similar) will be required to be self administered as a subcutaneous injection. Usually taken once daily for up to one month prior to the egg retrieval procedure. *This medication is used to prevent the release of eggs by ovulation and assists in maintaining proper FSH and LH levels throughout your egg donor cycle.
• FSH (Follistim, Gonal F or similar) will be required to be self administered as a subcutaneous injection. Usually taken 1-2 times daily for 8-14 days prior to the egg retrieval procedure. *This medication will contain a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which causes follicles containing eggs to develop in the ovaries.
• HCG (Ovidrel, Profasi, Pregnyl or similar) will be required to be administered as an intramuscular injection approximately 34 - 36 hours prior to your egg retrieval procedure. Usually a one time injection. If necessary, we will arrange for a nurse to administer this injection for you. *This medication causes the eggs to mature prior to the retrieval.

**Instruction will be provided for administering all cycle medications.**

Are there side effects to the medications?

The typical side effects that some donors experience are mild instances of the following:

• Hot Flashes
• Headaches
• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Moodiness

** A very rare more serious side effect that could occur is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, commonly referred to as OHSS. This side effect can be associated with the over stimulation of your ovaries by follicle stimulating hormone medication. It has occurred in 1-5 % of ovarian stimulation cycles. It is imperative that you administer your medications exactly as instructed by the reproductive physician that you are cycling with to prevent complications. Notify the clinic immediately if you are experiencing any body changes or extreme side effects. The reproductive physicians that we work in conjunction with will monitor you very closely by means of frequent vaginal ultrasounds and bloodwork to minimize the chances of this occurrence. Treatment of this condition may include hospitalization and a minor procedure. Failure to seek proper treatment can result in extremely serious complications including blood clots and stroke.