Human menopausal gonadotrophin

Human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) or menotropin is an active substance from the group of gonadotropins. It consists of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Menotropin is extracted from the urine of post-menopausal women and is used to treat female infertility in artificial insemination. Menotropin is a mixture of hormones. Usually the ratio of the two hormones is 1:1, but it can vary from preparation to preparation.

Menotropin has two effects due to the two hormones that the mixture contains. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) binds to the receptors, thus causing the maturation and growth of follicles in the ovaries. Follicles are a kind of protective covering that surround the egg. Increased estrogen production occurs and the uterus prepares for implantation of the fertilized egg by changing the endometrium and uterine muscles. The follicle matures until the day of ovulation. On this day, the follicle bursts and the egg can now be fertilized. Luteinizing hormone (LH) also increases until the day of ovulation and ensures that the mature egg reaches the fallopian tube. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone. Progesterone inhibits the release of FSH and LH. If fertilization does not occur, the corpus luteum perishes and progesterone production decreases again and FSH and LH increase again.

Always take human menopausal gonadotropin exactly as described in the package leaflet or exactly as your doctor has told you.

Human menopausal gonadotropin is usually given by injection.

The usual recommended dose is 225 IU (international units) into the subcutaneous fat (s.c./subcutaneous) or muscle (i.m./intramuscular) daily. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 450 IU. The duration of treatment is usually continued until adequate follicular maturation occurs. Thereafter, ovulation is induced by the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). For this purpose, 150 IU of hCG are given.

The following side effects may occur:

There is a risk that menotropin may transmit Creuzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). However, no infection has occurred to date.

Very common:

• Headache
• Swollen or bloated abdomen

Common:

• Hyperstimulation syndrome
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Back pain
• Feeling of heaviness
• Chest discomfort
• Dizziness
• Hot flashes
• Thirst
• Nausea
• fatigue
• malaise
• Reactions at the injection site

Rarely:

• Rotation (torsion) of the ovary

Very rare:

• Thromboembolism

Drug interactions may occur if the following medicines are taken at the same time:

• Ganirelix may weaken the effect of menotropin.

Human menopausal gonadotropin must NOT be taken in the following cases:

• in the case of enlarged ovaries
• ovarian cysts (ovarian cysts)
• in case of bleeding of unclear cause
• in case of ovarian cancer, uterine cancer or breast cancer
• swelling of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
• in case of allergy to menotropin

Human menopausal gonadotropin is NOT intended for use in children.

Human menopausal gonadotropin should NOT be used during pregnancy & lactation.

Multiple pregnancies occurred in approximately 20% of women treated with human menopausal gonadotropin.

Human menopausal gonadotropin has been used in medicine since the 1960s.