What is the most important information I should know about follicle stimulating hormone?
Treatment with follicle stimulating hormone increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple
births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with
your healthcare provider.
What is follicle stimulating hormone?
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is a naturally occurring hormone. FSH is important in the
development of follicles (eggs) produced by the ovaries. FSH is also important in the development of
sperm.
Follicle stimulating hormone is used to stimulate a follicle (egg) to develop and mature. It is used
when a woman desires pregnancy and her ovaries can produce a follicle but hormonal stimulation is not
sufficient to make the follicle mature. Follicle stimulating hormone is also used to stimulate the
development of multiple eggs for in vitro fertilization. Follicle stimulating hormone can be used by men
to increase the production of sperm.
Follicle stimulating hormone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using follicle stimulating hormone?
Follicle stimulating hormone will not induce ovulation if the ovaries are not capable of producing
an egg. Also, follicle stimulating hormone will not induce the production of sperm if the testes are not
capable of producing sperm.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you
-
might be pregnant;
-
have a thyroid problem;
-
have adrenal dysfunction;
-
have cancer or a tumor of the breast, ovary, uterus,
hypothalamus, or pituitary gland;
-
have undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding; or
-
have ovarian cysts or enlargement not due to polycystic
ovary disease (PCOD).
You may not be able to use follicle stimulating hormone, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Treatment with follicle stimulating hormone increases the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple
births carry additional risk both for the mother and for fetuses. Discuss the risk of multiple births with
your healthcare provider.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to neomycin or streptomycin. The Follistim AQ Cartridge
may contain traces of these antibiotics and may cause allergic reactions.
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. Follicle stimulating
hormone is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that follicle stimulating hormone is known to
cause birth defects in an unborn baby (when used beyond the period of ovulation).
It is not known whether follicle stimulating hormone passes into breast milk. Do not use
follicle stimulating hormone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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