menotrophin at a glance
Medicine class
Human menopausal gonadotrophin
Administration
Injection under the skin or into a muscle after mixing the powder with its solvent
Specialist monitoring
Ovarian response is monitored using ultrasound, sometimes with blood oestradiol measurements
What is menotrophin used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the selected product are:
Inducing ovulation in women with anovulation, including polycystic ovarian disease, when clomifene citrate has not worked.
Stimulating development of multiple ovarian follicles for assisted reproductive procedures such as IVF or ICSI.
Stimulating sperm production, with human chorionic gonadotrophin, in men with hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism; primary testicular failure usually does not respond.
How does menotrophin work?
Menotrophin provides FSH and LH activity. In the ovaries, FSH promotes follicle growth while LH activity supports ovarian hormone production. In the testes, gonadotrophin stimulation can support testosterone-dependent sperm production when the underlying problem is deficient pituitary gonadotrophins.
menotrophin preparations and strengths
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 75 units, 150 units, 600 units, 1200 units
How to take menotrophin
Use only as instructed by the fertility team. The first injection should be given under direct medical supervision; people who will self-inject must be trained by a clinician.
Inject under the skin or into a muscle, using the site and technique taught by the clinic.
Mix the powder with the supplied solvent immediately before use and swirl gently rather than shaking.
Use only a clear, particle-free solution and discard any remainder after use.
Dispose of needles and syringes in the sharps container recommended by the clinic.
menotrophin side effects
Common or expected effects
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Nausea
- Headache
- Pelvic pain
- Injection-site pain, redness, bruising, swelling or itching
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or worsening ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, including marked abdominal swelling, vomiting, rapid weight gain, breathing difficulty or reduced urination
- Blood clot symptoms, such as chest pain, breathlessness or a painful swollen limb
- Ovarian torsion, which may cause sudden severe pelvic pain
- Serious allergic reaction with facial or throat swelling or difficulty breathing
menotrophin in pregnancy
Menotrophin is intended to help conception but must not be used during pregnancy. Tell the fertility team if pregnancy is suspected or confirmed; pregnancy after assisted conception is followed according to the clinic's plan.
menotrophin while breastfeeding
The selected UK product is contraindicated during breastfeeding. Discuss feeding plans and alternative timing or treatment with the fertility specialist before starting it.
menotrophin interactions
Formal human interaction studies are limited. The fertility team should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and complementary products.
Clomifene citrate
Combined use is expected to increase the ovarian follicular response, requiring specialist oversight and monitoring.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists
Pituitary suppression may reduce ovarian responsiveness, so the clinic may need to alter the treatment plan.
Common questions about menotrophin
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What hormones does menotrophin contain?
It provides FSH and LH bioactivity; in the selected product, much of the LH activity comes from hCG.
Why is menotrophin used in IVF?
It stimulates several ovarian follicles to develop so eggs can be collected for assisted reproduction.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.