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Metrodin HP

Other brand names, Bravelle, Fertinex, Fertinorm HP

This is a type of fertility drug given by injection. It contains follicle simulating hormone known as FSH (which is obtained from the urine of post-hormonal women).

FSH is produced naturally by the pituitary gland and is the hormone that produces the ovarian follicle (the eggs and surrounding cells and fluid). As the ovarian follicle grows the hormone oestrogen is released and this aids ovulation.

Metrodin is used during Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) – this refers to fertility treatments which involve removal of eggs from a woman’s body and combining it with sperm in a laboratory and then returning the eggs to a woman’s body.

The drug is also used to treat fertility conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

However, because of the risks associated with using human blood or urine products drugs such as these have fallen out of favour.