Look through your list of IVF meds and you’ll likely see Menopur listed. What does Menopur do in my IVF cycle? Fertility nurse and co-founder of Dandi Fertility, Leyla Bilali, shares the details from side effects to injection tips for Menopur.
What Is Menopur and How Does It Work?
Menopur is a fertility medication, classified as human menopausal gonadotropin, that contains both FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone). These hormones play a critical role in stimulating your ovaries to produce more eggs, which is exactly what we're aiming for in IVF. Fun fact: human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) is extracted and purified from the urine of postmenopausal women and was originally collected from nuns!
You might have already heard of Gonal-F or Follistim, which are commonly used in IVF as well. These medications are pure FSH, while Menopur contains both FSH and LH. The LH helps further support the maturation of eggs, making Menopur an important addition to your medication lineup.
How Long Do You Take Menopur in IVF?
The typical duration for taking Menopur in an IVF cycle is anywhere from 8 to 12 days. It’s often taken alongside Gonal-F or Follistim during this time. Sometimes, all three medications are started together at the beginning of your cycle. In other cases, your doctor may have you start Menopur a few days after you’ve already begun Gonal-F or Follistim.
Your fertility team will determine the best timing based on your individual protocol. But rest assured, the medication timeline usually runs through most of your IVF cycle until your “trigger” shot, which signals that your eggs are ready for retrieval.
How To Inject Menopur
Menopur is administered via subcutaneous injection, which means it’s injected into the fatty tissue of your body. The most common spot is your abdomen, though some people also opt for the upper outer thigh.
It’s important to get comfortable with the injection process, and your care team will guide you through it. If you need a little extra help, don't hesitate to reach out for a virtual walkthrough.
What Are the Side Effects of Menopur?
Like all IVF medications, Menopur comes with potential side effects. The most common ones are:
- Bloating
- Cramping
- Foggy-headedness
- Headache
These side effects aren’t unique to Menopur—many patients experience them with Gonal-F, Follistim, and other IVF meds. However, one difference with Menopur is the sensation you might feel during the injection itself.
Unlike Gonal-F or Follistim, which tend to be painless, Menopur can cause a slight burning or stinging sensation as the medication goes in. Don't worry, though—this feeling usually only lasts a minute or two and isn’t harmful.
Can You Mix Menopur with Gonal-F?
In order to avoid taking two separate injections, you might be wondering if you can mix Menopur with your FSH medication, such as Gonal-F or Follistim. Some clinics do teach patients how to do this but it depends on your specific team!
By combining the medications into one injection, you can simplify your routine and cut down on needle pricks. However, this method isn’t always recommended, so it’s best to talk to your fertility nurse or doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Need Help with Your Injections? We’ve Got You Covered
If you’re feeling a little nervous about mixing or administering your Menopur injections, you’re not alone. It can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the process. Luckily, our virtual care services at Dandi help women undergoing IVF navigate their medications and injections confidently. You can book online with a fertility nurse and hop on a video call where our nurses will walk you through the steps of mixing and injecting your Menopur and other IVF meds in real-time.
Our injection video call with a fertility nurse includes:
- Medication unboxing and preparing for your injections
- Live injection guidance for more accurate medication administration
- On-demand and available in after hours for questions, guidance, and support when clinics usually are not reachable
Whether you're at home or on the go, we’ll make sure you're confident in preparing and administering your medications correctly. Best of luck! You got this.
