For individuals undergoing fertility treatment, injectable hormone medications often play a vital role in improving the chances of successful conception. Among the medications used during IVF or other assisted reproductive procedures, many patients are prescribed Menopur to treat infertility—a gonadotropin injection that helps stimulate egg development.
Here’s what to know about how Menopur treats infertility, how it compares to other fertility drugs, and what to expect during treatment.
What Is Menopur?
Menopur is a fertility medication that contains human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG), specifically follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These two hormones are essential for the development and maturation of ovarian follicles, which carry eggs.
Doctors often prescribe Menopur to treat infertility in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for:
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Egg retrieval or donor cycles
By encouraging the ovaries to develop multiple eggs, Menopur increases the chances of retrieving viable eggs for fertilization.
How Menopur Treats Infertility
In a natural cycle, the body releases one egg per month. When Menopur is used to treat infertility, it helps the ovaries produce multiple eggs by delivering FSH and LH directly through injection.
This process, known as ovarian stimulation, is carefully monitored with ultrasounds and blood tests. Once follicles reach the desired size, patients receive a trigger shot to induce ovulation or prepare for egg retrieval.
Patients often combine Menopur with other medications, including:
Gonal-F or Follistim (FSH-only products)
Ganirelix or Cetrotide (to prevent premature ovulation)
hCG trigger shot (to time egg release)
This multi-drug approach is common in IVF cycles where maximizing egg development is the goal.
How to Use Menopur
Menopur is administered as a subcutaneous injection, usually once daily during the stimulation phase of treatment. It comes as a powder vial and a liquid vial that must be mixed before injection.
Patients are typically taught to:
Mix the medication using sterile technique
Inject it into the abdomen or upper thigh
Rotate injection sites to reduce irritation
Learning how to use Menopur to treat infertility can feel overwhelming at first, but many clinics offertraining and support to ensure proper use.
Side Effects of Menopur
Like all hormone-based fertility drugs, Menopur can cause side effects. These may include:
Bloating or abdominal discomfort
Headache
Breast tenderness
Injection site reactions (redness, swelling, bruising)
Mood swings
More rarely, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may occur. This condition can lead to significant swelling, fluid retention, and discomfort. Close medical monitoring helps reduce that risk during treatment.
Menopur vs. Other Fertility Medications
If you’re comparing options, you might wonder how Menopur to treat infertility compares to FSH-only medications like Gonal-F or Follistim.
| Medication | Hormones Included | Typical Use Case | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menopur | FSH + LH (hMG) | IVF, low LH levels | Vial |
| Gonal-F | FSH only | IVF/IUI, regular LH | Pen or vial |
| Follistim | FSH only | IVF/IUI, regular LH | Pen or vial |
Some patients respond better to medications with both FSH and LH, particularly those with low ovarian reserve or poor response to FSH-only cycles. Discuss with your fertility doctor whether Menopur is right for your specific hormone profile.
Cost of Menopur and Insurance Coverage
The cost of using Menopur to treat infertility can range from $70 to $120 per vial, depending on your dosage and pharmacy. A single IVF cycle may require 10–20 vials, making medication one of the most expensive parts of treatment.
To lower out-of-pocket costs, many patients explore:
Pharmacy discount programs
Fertility medication bundles
Insurance pre-authorization
Menopur coupon offers or savings cards
Mail-order or specialty fertility pharmacies
Searches like “Menopur cost per cycle,” “buy Menopur online,” or “compare fertility drug prices” are common for those managing expenses.
Final Thoughts
When prescribed appropriately, Menopur to treat infertility can support egg development and improve IVF or IUI outcomes. It’s one of several injectable medications used during fertility treatment—but its combination of FSH and LH makes it a preferred option in certain patient profiles.
Whether you’re just starting fertility care or preparing for a new IVF cycle, talk to your reproductive specialist about how Menopur fits into your protocol, what monitoring will be required, and how to budget for treatment. With expert support and a clear plan, fertility medications like Menopur may help bring you one step closer to your goal.