How to Use Follistim & Timed Intercourse

Trying to conceive can be difficult.

A woman's body creates follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) to control the menstrual cycle. These hormones surge right before the release of an egg. In some women, FSH may be minimal, which is why the use of FSH-derived medications such as Follistim are used to aid in the development of eggs. You may use Follistim prior to procedures that include intrauterine insemination. Your physician will guide you on the times of day to use Follistim and how often you should use the injectable fertility medication. Using timed intercourse while taking Follistim may also help to increase your chances for pregnancy.

Instructions

1. 

   Do your injections.

   Inject the Follistim subcutaneously (under the skin). Never use more than the dosage your physican gives you.

2. 

   See your physician.

   Keep regular visits with your physician while using Follistim. According to drugs.com, your physician may check you regularly with an ultrasound to look for egg development within your ovaries. She also may check increases of hormones in your blood.

3. Monitor your basal body temperature daily after you begin injections. You can use a digital basal thermometer to track an increase in your temperature.

4. Use an ovulation predictor kit while taking your injections. Ovulation predictor kits detect the luteinizing hormone (triggers ovulation), which is higher directly before ovulation.

5. 

   Have sex with your partner when the timing is right.

   Engage in sexual intercourse when you detect a LH surge. Fertility Plus says to have sex the day of the LH surge and two days after.

Tips & Warnings

• Call your physician if you miss a Follistim dose; you need to follow up with a new injection schedule.

• Ask your physician if having sexual intercourse every other day (after your physician has detected eggs) would be beneficial to you. The more sex you have, the more likely you are to increase your chances for conception.

• Notify your physician if you develop side effects that include vomiting, abdominal pain, labored breathing, chills or fever. Keep your Follistim out of direct sunlight and heat. Heat can ruin the solution.

References

• Drugs: Follistim

Resources

• Fertility Plus: Charting Your Basal Body Temperature
• Preg Online: Fertility Treatments