Menotropin

Menotropin (also known as human menopausal gonadotropin or hMG) is a hormonally active medication for the treatment of fertility disturbances. Frequently the plural is used as the medication is a mixture of gonadotropins. Menotropins are extracted from the urine of postmenopausal women.

Usage

Menotropin preparations are used for stimulating hormones by triggering Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) production in the body. This treatment can be administered by a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) or an intramuscular injection (into the muscle).

Side Effects

Common side effects of menotropin injections include headache, stomach pain, bloating, and nausea. In rare cases, menotropins can cause severe hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can be a life-threatening condition. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of OHSS: severe pelvic pain, swelling of the hands or legs, stomach pain and swelling, shortness of breath, weight gain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and urinating less than normal.

Contraindications

Menotropin should not be used in patients with primary ovarian failure, uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, an organic intracranial lesion such as a pituitary tumor, abnormal uterine bleeding of undetermined origin, or ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic ovary syndrome.

See Also

• Fertility medication
• Gonadotropin preparations
• Follicle-stimulating hormone
• Luteinizing hormone