Infertility

Infertility is a medical condition that results when you, your partner or both of you have physical conditions that interfere with the reproduction process. A couple is usually deemed infertile if they are unable to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse (for women over 35, this decreases to six months of unsuccessful conception).

Many people are surprised to learn how common infertility is. Approximately 6.1 million couples in the United States are infertile - that is one in six couples. Fortunately, in numerous cases infertility is treatable. Approximately half of all infertile couples will eventually conceive a child either on their own or after therapy. Therapy for infertility includes treatment with drugs that stimulate the growth and maturation of the egg cells (oocytes) in a woman’s ovaries so they are ready for fertilization. Fertilization may then proceed naturally, or may occur in vitro (outside the body) using assisted reproductive technology (ART).

This section helps you understand both male and female infertility. It outlines physiological conditions that can cause the condition and offers information about both the male and female reproductive systems.

Safety information:

Follistim® AQ Cartridge

- Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose of Follistim® AQ Cartridge to be given. This dose may be increased or decreased as your treatment progresses depending on your individual type of treatment. If you have previously used gonadotropins, your dose may be different with Follistim® AQ Cartridge. Again, your healthcare professional will decide the dose based upon your medical history.

- Always follow your healthcare professional’s dosing instructions when administering Follistim® AQ Cartridge. Your healthcare professional has individualized the dose to be administered based on your medical history. Do not change your dose unless instructed by your healthcare professional.

- Follistim® AQ Cartridge, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe side effects including OHSS, with or without pulmonary or vascular complications.

- Follistim® AQ Cartridge should be prescribed only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment. Physicians should advise their patients of treatment risks, including OHSS and multiple births.

Follistim® AQ Vial

- Follistim® AQ Vial, like all gonadotropins, is a potent substance capable of causing mild to severe side effects including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), with or without pulmonary or vascular complications.

- Follistim® AQ Vial should be prescribed only by physicians who are experienced in infertility treatment. Physicians should advise their patients of treatment risks, including OHSS and multiple births.

- Always follow your doctor’s dosing instructions when administering Follistim® AQ. Your doctor has individualized the dose to be administered based on your medical history. Do not change your dose unless instructed by your doctor.

Please see accompanying Physician Prescribing Information.